Honoring the Visionary Founder of WorldFest-Houston: A Legacy of Film and Culture
Jon James Hunter Todd
1938 – 2025
For over five decades, Hunter Todd championed the bold, the unconventional, and the independent. As the founder and longtime Chairman of WorldFest-Houston, Hunter gave early recognition to filmmakers like Steven Spielberg, the Coen Brothers, Ang Lee, David Lynch, and so many others who would go on to shape modern cinema.
But more than a festival founder, Hunter was a believer. He believed in first-time directors. He believed in stories told from the margins. He believed that film could awaken the world—and he built a festival to prove it.
Carrying the Torch
In 2025, we said goodbye to Hunter—but his spirit lives on in every frame we screen, every story we uplift, and every emerging filmmaker we support. His vision continues to guide WorldFest as we evolve, grow, and build the next chapter of independent cinema in Houston and beyond.
The Hunter Todd Legacy Fund
We invite you to help carry Hunter’s mission forward through the Hunter Todd Legacy Fund, supporting:
Emerging filmmaker scholarships
Youth film education programs
Festival accessibility & innovation
Community storytelling initiatives
The creation of the annual Hunter Todd Inspiration Award
Make a gift, make an impact, and help write the next act.
Share a Memory
Hunter touched countless lives—with a booming voice, an unforgettable laugh, and an unwavering belief in creative courage. If you have a story, memory, or message to share, we’d love to hear it.
Independent film is the last frontier of free expression. Celebrate it. Protect it. Be part of it.
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.
