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Tom Garrett is an independent feature film producer and a founding partner of Circa Films, a company specializing in production and international distribution of independent feature films. Over the past 20 years, Tom has produced 14 feature films. He possesses deep expertise in the legal and financial aspects of feature film production, having produced, directed, and delivered films to the global market. Additionally, he has consulted on production challenges, budgeting, financing, guilds and unions, and legal matters for projects ranging from low-budget independents to major studio films.
Tom's films have been showcased at numerous prestigious international film festivals, including Berlin, Cannes, Florence, Rotterdam, and Toronto. For two decades, he has actively participated with Circa Films at the Cannes Marché du Film during the Cannes Film Festival, as well as at MIFED (Milan International Film Fair of Exhibitors and Distributors) and the American Film Market (AFM).
Holding an M.F.A. from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Film program, Tom has worked as a line producer, unit production manager, and executive producer with acclaimed directors such as Academy Award winner Jean-Charles Tacchella (Cousin, Cousine (1975), Seven Sundays (1994)) and Alex Cox (Sid and Nancy (1986), Repo Man (1984)). He has collaborated with prominent producers including Daniel Toscan du Plantier and Art Linson. Tom has been involved in numerous international co-productions and has worked alongside notable industry figures, including distinguished cinematographers Mario García Joya (Strawberry & Chocolate (1993)), Carlo Varini (Subway (1985)), and Jan de Bont (Die Hard (1988), The Hunt for Red October (1990), Black Rain (1989)), as well as respected actors such as Rod Steiger, Gary Oldman, and Thierry Lhermitte.
He produced and directed Death Collector (1988), also known as "Tin Star Void," a sci-fi western apocalyptic film based on a screenplay by John J. McLaughlin (Black Swan, Hitchcock, Parker, Coma), which has been hailed as a "cult classic" by both Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.
Beyond feature films, Tom has produced and directed projects for prominent advertising agencies and public relations firms including Chiat-Day/Mojo, JWT, and BBD&O, working with clients like Chanel, Reebok, Tag Heuer, Publix, and Calvin Klein. His client list also includes Def Jam and Sony Records, where he produced music videos for artists such as Run-D.M.C. and U2.
Tom and his late wife, Lee Morse, owned Best West Productions, a production service company that facilitated numerous feature films in Florida’s West Coast region, including notable titles like Great Expectations (1998) starring Ethan Hawke, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Robert De Niro, and Palmetto (1998) featuring Woody Harrelson, Elisabeth Shue, and Gina Gershon. Lee Morse was a producer and production coordinator.
In the summer of 2007, Tom attended a Directors Masters Class led by Martin Scorsese at the Cannes Film Festival.
Tom has taught film production at NYU Tisch School of the Arts, State College of Florida, and the University of Tampa. He was also the founding film program coordinator at Sam Houston State University’s College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication, where he instructed both undergraduate and graduate students. Currently, Tom serves as Chair of the Department of Communication, Film & Media Studies at The University of New Haven. Additionally, he continues to organize an esteemed program for students and media professionals at the Cannes Film Festival annually, titled "Business of Film and the International Market." Tom resides in Milford, Connecticut, and Sarasota, Florida.
