Jon James

Hunter Todd

Jon James
Hunter Todd

Signing Off

May God hold you in the palm of his hand and keep you unspotted from the world.

08/09/1938 - 02/09/2025

J. Hunter Todd, beloved husband, father, film festival founder and friend, left his earthly body on February 9, 2025 at 86 and a half. Hunter was born in New Orleans, LA at the Touro Infirmary and spent much of his early summers in Gulfport, MS and Saraland, AL. In his later youth, Hunter grew up in Hampton, VA in the Chesapeake Bay area.

A proud graduate of Newport News High School and the College of William & Mary (BA Philosophy), Hunter’s life and career were nothing short of extraordinary. Gifted with a wonderful voice, Hunter worked at the local radio station WVEC, FM while in high school playing jazz records on “the wall to wall sounds of the Hunter Todd Show.” As a young ROTC cadet, then Army officer, Hunter produced film documentaries about the early work of the USA Space mission before it was named NASA with Werner von Braun and other Rocket scientists of the day.

At that time, Hunter entered and won many awards for his rocket movies in various European film festivals and decided that Atlanta, Georgia was the best place to establish an independent film festival which he founded there in 1968. It is the third film festival in North America after only San Francisco and New York City. The festival moved to the U.S. Virgin Islands for 5 years, then to Houston in the late 1970’s.

"The wall to wall sounds of the Hunter Todd Show”

An enthusiastic advocate for emerging filmmakers, Hunter was always happy to encourage filmmakers to hone their craft and develop solid careers in the film industry. He was proud of the record number of WorldFest Remi Award winners that went on to establish superb careers such as Steven Spielberg, Ang Lee, George Lucas, the Coen Brothers, David Lynch, Randal Kleiser, Robert Rodriguez, John Lee Hancock, Leslie Linka Glatter, Deepa Mehta plus many others.

In addition to WorldFest-Houston, Hunter also presented other festivals such as The Charleston International Film Festival (‘93-’97) and The Flagstaff International Film Festival (’98-’99).

Hunter was a wonderful family man dedicated to his wife, Kathleen, and daughter, Katy Lea. Sailing was one of Hunter’s favorite sources of inspiration and peace and the family spent most Sunday afternoons together on Galveston Bay. Hunter was a longtime member of The Houston Yacht Club and became the Texas Gulf Coast editor for the annual Waterway Guide. He was delighted to share his nautical adventures from up and down the Gulf Coast. He became a Coast Guard rated Captain after studying for his license to sail Galveston Bay Charters on his 60 ft sloop, the good ship Valkyrie. Captain Todd also established the WorldFest Regatta, the film festival’s signature event, to showcase Houston’s diversity and allow folks to experience sailing, perhaps for the first time.

Hunter was an avid traveler taking his family abroad to the Cannes Film Festival and many others for an annual Busman’s Holiday. He also served on many juries of renowned film festivals in Zagreb, Croatia; Sitges, Spain; Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic, plus The Korean Television Awards, Taipei International Film Festival and more. Hunter also produced industrial films for the Oil & Gas industry including helicopter shoots for Halliburton and underwater films for Oceaneering.

Godspeed, Captain Todd

Hunter had many varied interests in life. He became a Cessna pilot during his college years, won sharpshooter rifle competitions during his Army days in Florida and even produced a number of jazz concerts during his time in Birmingham with Dave Brubeck being at the top of his list. As a fox hunter in Virginia, Hunter had many adventures and lived to tell the tale about his close call with a horse fresh off the Keeneland Races.

Hunter served on the vestry at Saint Thomas’ Episcopal Church and became the Head of New Organ Committee persuading Grammy Award-winning conductor and former Houston Symphony music director, Hans Graff, to become its Honorary Chair. Listening to his favorite hymn 512 “For Those in Peril on the Sea” with the Schoenstein organ he helped install filled him with immense pride.

As a longtime announcer for Saint Thomas’ Episcopal School’s Scottish Festival, Hunter’s favorite sign off as the Bagpipers finished for the night was the blessing “May God hold you in the palm of his hand and keep you unspotted from the world.”

Hunter was preceded in death by his parents, James Griner Todd and Janis Lea Garratt, Uncle Norman Garratt. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Haney Todd, sister, Sally Lea Lowe; brother-in-law, Jackson Lowe and daughter, Katy Lea Cannon along with son-in law, Sean Michael Cannon.

Hunter’s exuberant nature, incredible stories and warm heart will be missed by all who knew him. Godspeed, Captain Todd. May you rest in peace.

Honoring Our Founder: Consider a Donation

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival Hunter Todd Legacy Fund to continue his life's work.

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In Loving Memory

In loving memory of Hunter Todd, a visionary whose passion for film and dedication to nurturing talent left an indelible mark on the industry. His legacy will continue to inspire filmmakers and audiences alike.