Patron in the City: Jason A. Coombs
We believe that passionate individuals can spur change in their communities. We refer to those individuals as Patrons in the City, dedicating their time, sweat, and tears to building vibrant communities.
2025 marks the fifth year of the Bridgeport Film Fest, each year more successful than the last. Presented in partnership with the nonprofit City Lights/Bridgeport Art Trail, the Bridgeport Film Fest showcases the humanities and arts through an exciting lineup of film screenings, hands-on workshops, engaging panel discussions, live music, and the immersive “VR for Good” program, which places audiences inside the experiences of historically marginalized communities.
An idea born during the pandemic, the Bridgeport Film Fest has grown and embodied its goal to discover, champion, and develop independent filmmakers while cultivating engaged audiences. It has welcomed more than 1,600 attendees and showcased over 360 films from more than 20 countries, uniting the Bridgeport community, celebrating diversity, and cementing Bridgeport as a thriving cultural, social, and economic hub.
Since their first campaign with Patronicity in 2021, Bridgeport Film Fest has crowdfunded $43,084 from 461 patrons across 5 campaigns, earning an additional $36,000 in matching dollars from Sustainable CT’s Community Match Fund. This year’s crowdfunding campaign raised $1,394 over its goal, allowing the fest to bring in two additional guest speakers!
In addition, Sustainable CT covered remaining crowdfunding and credit card processing fees for the last three campaigns as part of its Social Change Amplifier Fund, which supports projects led by Black, Latinx, Multiracial, Indigenous, and other People of Color community organizers and organizations. The Social Change Amplifier Fund allows all crowdfunded dollars to go directly to the community organizers, supporting leaders and communities frequently underrepresented in the funding landscape.
We spoke with Jason Coombs, founder and Executive Director of the Bridgeport Film Fest, to learn more about his project and passion for creating community.
In addition to launching the Bridgeport Film Fest, Jason (he/him) is an accomplished SAG-AFTRA actor, writer, host, and director who’s appeared in dozens of films, television shows, and webseries, has produced several short films and a webseries, and is currently co-host of the “Survival Jobs” podcast. He is a firm believer in the mission statement that "art can save lives," and has been emboldened to use his platform as an activist through art and the humanities. Jason is a founding Board Member of the Bridgeport Pride Center, which is the very first nonprofit center of its kind in downtown Bridgeport.
Patronicity: Why do you love where you live and work? Tell us about your community!
Jason: I’ve always been proud to be from Bridgeport, even though it hasn’t always had the best reputation in the media. The Bridgeport you see on the news is not the Bridgeport I know growing up and living here. The Bridgeport I know is full of rich culture, beautiful diversity, and hardworking people who truly show up for one another.
DEI has been in the news a lot lately, but thankfully diversity, equity and inclusion is all I’ve ever known growing up and living in Bridgeport. After leaving to pursue a career in entertainment and then returning home during the pandemic, it’s been incredibly exciting to see the city flourish in so many ways. The art, the murals downtown, the colorful Broad Street steps, all of it adds to the vibrancy of the city!
There are so many artists, activists, and community organizers here who are committed to changing the narrative of Bridgeport. That’s what makes this place so special. The people here believe in the city, believe in each other, and believe in what Bridgeport can become.
Patronicity: Tell us a little more about your project and why it’s important.
Jason: My project was the 5th Annual Bridgeport Film Fest, which took place in September 2025! It was necessary because the power of seeing different stories and being introduced to different cultures and people is essential to a healthy community. Representation matters. Seeing yourself on screen, seeing people who look like you and share your values, can be incredibly powerful.
That’s why bringing over 90 independent films from 13 different countries to Bridgeport was so important. The festival created space for diverse voices while also empowering the local community to take back the narrative of Bridgeport and tell their own stories, which is vital to the city’s growth.
The festival also focused on education by offering storytelling workshops and production assistant training, giving young people real tools to become future storytellers. It was entertainment and education in a welcoming, accessible environment!
Lastly, the city also welcomes Filmmakers, creatives and supporters from New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, Toronto, Philly, Texas and others to Bridgeport for the first time. When they see our main venue, the historic Klein Memorial Auditorium it creates positive imagery and impact for Bridgeport as well.
Patronicity: You’ve been running this festival for five years now. What inspired you to get involved in this project?
Jason: I’ve always had the idea of creating a film festival. As a filmmaker and actor, I love attending festivals and seeing the positive impact they have on communities. Whenever I go to one, I see how it brings people together, draws people into a city, and allows them to really experience that community!
Before the pandemic, this idea was always in the back of my mind. When the pandemic happened, I realized it was finally the time and I was able to receive a lot of support. I suddenly had the space to focus and actually make it happen. Each year, the festival has continued to grow, and this past year marked our fifth year, with that momentum still building!
People genuinely look forward to it now. It’s become a staple in Bridgeport. People ask when it’s coming back, they want it here, and they’ve truly bought in. There’s also a clearer understanding of what a film festival is and what it brings to a city, which wasn’t always the case early on. Now, that impact is real, and it’s here to stay!
Patronicity: It sounds like the community has responded really well to the fest!
Jason: The community response has been incredibly positive. So many people have shared how excited they are to submit their own work, and others are already asking about next year, messaging me to find out when the next dates will be announced! This year also marked our highest attendance in five years, which felt incredibly affirming.
People really connect with the community vibe of the festival. There’s nothing pretentious about it. You’re welcomed as you are, and people are open, supportive, and excited to be there. The audience reflects a wide range of ages and backgrounds, which makes the experience feel even more meaningful!
One attendee who regularly goes to film festivals shared that this is not only the most diverse film festival in Connecticut in terms of both lineup and attendance, but one of the most diverse festivals she’s attended overall. That feedback means everything. It’s why we’ve lasted five years and why we’re committed to continuing this work for the next five, ten, fifteen, or even fifty years!
Patronicity: That’s incredible. What else do you hope community members take away from this project?
Jason: My biggest hope is that people walk away feeling encouraged to tell their own stories. I want people from this community to feel empowered to share who they are and where they come from! And it doesn’t have to be through film. It can be through writing, visual art, music, a podcast, or any creative medium that speaks to them.
Storytelling has been around since the beginning of time, and it’s one of the most powerful ways we connect with one another. Sharing our stories helps us understand each other, strengthen our communities, and preserve who we are. That tradition matters, and it’s something worth continuing!
I also hope people feel inspired to change the narrative and not let others define their stories for them. My goal is for community members to leave knowing they have a voice, their story matters, and they absolutely have the power to tell it themselves!
Patronicity: What have been the results of your crowdfunding campaign?
Jason: We were very fortunate to reach our crowdfunding goal this year, especially at a time when funding is down overall and many people are feeling financial pressure. That support meant so much to me, and I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who showed up and believed in the work!
We truly could not do this without community support, both financially and through people donating their time. Putting together a four-day festival requires months of planning, coordination, and execution, and it’s a huge undertaking.
The success of the campaign was a powerful reminder that people value this festival and want to see it continue. That kind of support makes all the hard work worth it and fuels us to keep building year after year!
Patronicity: How did Sustainable CT’s matching dollars support your project and further its impact on the community?
Jason: Sustainable CT’s dollar-for-dollar match truly helped make this four-day event possible. The Bridgeport Film Fest is more than just film screenings. It includes workshops, panel discussions, podcast-listening stations, and an outdoor vendor village featuring local artists and makers, food trucks, and family-friendly activities. It really functions as a full arts and culture festival for the community!
Because of Sustainable CT’s support, we were able to secure a beautiful, historic venue and keep ticket prices low so the festival remained accessible to low-income families. We were also able to give away over 100 complimentary tickets, ensuring that cost was not a barrier for people who wanted to attend. That access is incredibly important to us!
The matching funds also allowed us to expand the festival’s impact by offering a virtual option for those who couldn’t attend in person and by bringing in guest speakers from New York City who work professionally in the entertainment industry. Being able to share their knowledge, experience, and inspiration with our community is powerful, and none of it would have been possible without the Sustainable CT match!
Patronicity: What could other communities learn from your project?
Jason: I think there’s real power in community and in not being afraid to ask for help. People genuinely want to be part of something bigger than themselves, and they want to support work that feels meaningful! That’s been very clear with the Bridgeport Film Fest.
So many people get involved, and not everyone is a filmmaker, actor, or writer. But there’s something special about being part of a shared experience, showing up for a weekend, and feeling that collective energy together. That sense of belonging is powerful!
I think other communities can learn that building something impactful doesn’t happen alone. When you invite people in, ask for support, and create space for them to participate in their own way, the community will rise to meet you!
Patronicity: If someone wanted to become more involved in their community, what advice would you give them?
Jason: If someone wants to become more involved in their community, my first response is always kudos. That’s amazing! Wanting to show up for your community matters. It’s where we live, where we work, and where real growth and impact happen.
I’d say start small. Start with your friends, or even a friend of a friend, and let it grow from there. If you have an idea or a vision for change, talk about it! Don’t be afraid to ask questions, seek feedback, or listen to what your community actually needs and wants. That’s how meaningful impact begins.
Most importantly, don’t let the thought of “I’m just one person” stop you. One person taking action can create a ripple effect that reaches far beyond what you expect. Big or small, what matters is showing up and doing something. That’s how change starts!
Feeling Inspired?
Use the motivation from learning about Jason’s dedication to creating community and building a better Bridgeport as a spark to create change in your community!
Are you in Connecticut and have an idea to make your Connecticut community more equitable, sustainable, and vibrant? Contact Sustainable CT at funding@sustainablect.org to share your great idea and start crowdfunding your vision. Whether you’re dreaming of more green spaces, solar for public spaces, greenways for biking and walking, murals and other public art, green jobs programs, or community gardens, Sustainable CT’s Community Match Fund can help make your great idea a reality by providing fast, flexible funding and support for sustainability projects that engage your Connecticut community. Learn more at www.patronicity.com/sustainablect.
