Jared Hess

Having made nearly 200 low-budget movies in just two decades, Utah writer-director Stephen Groo is now seeking production funds and the involvement of celebrity fan Jack Black for a remake of his 2004 human/elf fantasy drama ‘The Unexpected Race’. Scott Christopherson’s hilarious yet sincere portrait depicts this uphill battle, while examining the unusual methods of a determined DIY auteur.

A Jared Hess documentary

Thelma dreams of being a glamorous unicorn. Then in a rare pink and glitter-filled moment of fate, Thelma's wish comes true. She rises to instant international stardom, but at an unexpected cost. After a while, Thelma realizes that she was happier as her ordinary, sparkle-free self. So she ditches her horn, scrubs off her sparkles, and returns home, where her best friend is waiting for her with a hug.

In this contemporary LDS twist on Jane Austen's iconic novel, Elizabeth Bennet is a hard-working, intelligent college student who won't even think about marriage until she graduates. But when she meets Jack Wickham, a good-looking playboy, and Darcy, a sensible businessman, Elizabeth's determination is put to the test. Will she see through their exteriors and discover their true intentions?

A young woman named Amber is sent to live with her father who she hasn't seen in over 10 years after suffering a car accident that takes the life of her mother. As Amber is healing she discovers a man hiding in the woods that is an elf. She finds out Elves have always lived, but he is the last being a FBI agent was sent out to destroy them. As they fall in love, Lythorin must make a decision if he wants to stay with Amber or stay alone.

Jared Phelps has completed two years of full-time missionary service for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His mission president has promised that he will be blessed for his service, and he thinks he has it all worked out. His girlfriend has waited. His boss promised his old job, and he has already sent his application to BYU. Everything that can go wrong does go wrong. His girlfriend dumps him. His loses his job, and he isn't accepted to BYU. Then, it gets even worse, and he has to decide if choosing the right is worth all the trouble.

When Jonathan Jordan gets divorced he's thrust back into the world of being a single Mormon - a world who's ultimate goal is eternal marriage. Struggling to fit in, Jonathan decides to stop going to church only to be pursued by the members of the local singles ward who want to reactivate him. Nothing works until Jonathan falls for Cammie Giles, the ward activities director. Suddenly, going to church becomes much more appealing, But is he going for the right reasons?

A chance meeting in a parking lot in 1979 between filmmaker Trent Harris and a young man from Beaver, Utah inspired the creation of an underground film that is now known as Beaver Trilogy. But the film itself is only part of the story.

Four misfits find themselves struggling with ordinary problems when they are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld: a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get back home, they'll have to master this world while embarking on a magical quest with an unexpected, expert crafter, Steve.

A teenager attends a fantasy writers' convention where he discovers his idea has been stolen by an established novelist.

A listless and alienated teenager decides to help his new friend win the class presidency in their small western high school, while he must deal with his bizarre family life back home.

Ignacio, a disrespected cook at a Mexican monastery, can barely afford to feed the orphans who live there. Inspired by a local wrestling hero, he decides to moonlight as the not-so-famous Luchador "Nacho Libre" to earn money for the monastery -- not to mention the admiration of beautiful nun Sister Encarnación.

The short film that Napoleon Dynamite was based on shows a day in the life of Seth, supernerd extraordinaire, rocking the megalopolis of Preston, Idaho, and soon the world, with his illegal ninja moves and his sweet fanny pack. GOSH!

The short film that Napoleon Dynamite was based on shows a day in the life of Seth, supernerd extraordinaire, rocking the megalopolis of Preston, Idaho, and soon the world, with his illegal ninja moves and his sweet fanny pack. GOSH!

Four misfits find themselves struggling with ordinary problems when they are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld: a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get back home, they'll have to master this world while embarking on a magical quest with an unexpected, expert crafter, Steve.

The short film that Napoleon Dynamite was based on shows a day in the life of Seth, supernerd extraordinaire, rocking the megalopolis of Preston, Idaho, and soon the world, with his illegal ninja moves and his sweet fanny pack. GOSH!

Nike asked us to shoot a short film as part of the “you’re faster than you think” campaign. “Winner Take Steve” was selected for SIFF, ResFest, Slamdance and the One Reel Film Festival, among others.

A night guard at an armored car company in the Southern U.S. organizes one of the biggest bank heists in American history.

Having made nearly 200 low-budget movies in just two decades, Utah writer-director Stephen Groo is now seeking production funds and the involvement of celebrity fan Jack Black for a remake of his 2004 human/elf fantasy drama ‘The Unexpected Race’. Scott Christopherson’s hilarious yet sincere portrait depicts this uphill battle, while examining the unusual methods of a determined DIY auteur.

Biblical archaeologist Don Verdean is hired by a local church pastor to find faith-promoting relics in the Holy Land. But after a fruitless expedition he is forced to get creative in this comedy of faith and fraud.

Biblical archaeologist Don Verdean is hired by a local church pastor to find faith-promoting relics in the Holy Land. But after a fruitless expedition he is forced to get creative in this comedy of faith and fraud.

A misfit living amongst neighborhoods and homes that have declared themselves sovereign nations, is recruited to wage a battle against the nation of Wayne County, Nevada.

A heartfelt depiction of a man facing his own mortality while reflecting on the grave mistakes of his youth.

Obsessed with the BBC production of "Pride and Prejudice", a woman travels to a Jane Austen theme park in search for her perfect gentleman.

A teenager attends a fantasy writers' convention where he discovers his idea has been stolen by an established novelist.

A documentary of the making of the movie Napoleon Dynamite

Walt (lover of threesomes, hater of shirts) strikes up an unlikely friendship with a former Pro Bowler as they discover he might be THE GOAT of the lanes. The only things standing in their way are racism, alcoholism and Linda "The Crusher" Curson.

A young woman named Amber is sent to live with her father who she hasn't seen in over 10 years after suffering a car accident that takes the life of her mother. As Amber is healing she discovers a man hiding in the woods that is an elf. She finds out Elves have always lived, but he is the last being a FBI agent was sent out to destroy them. As they fall in love, Lythorin must make a decision if he wants to stay with Amber or stay alone.

Thelma dreams of being a glamorous unicorn. Then in a rare pink and glitter-filled moment of fate, Thelma's wish comes true. She rises to instant international stardom, but at an unexpected cost. After a while, Thelma realizes that she was happier as her ordinary, sparkle-free self. So she ditches her horn, scrubs off her sparkles, and returns home, where her best friend is waiting for her with a hug.

A seven-year-old Idaho farm boy struggles to escape boredom while wearing a cardboard box over his head.

Biblical archaeologist Don Verdean is hired by a local church pastor to find faith-promoting relics in the Holy Land. But after a fruitless expedition he is forced to get creative in this comedy of faith and fraud.

A teenager attends a fantasy writers' convention where he discovers his idea has been stolen by an established novelist.

A listless and alienated teenager decides to help his new friend win the class presidency in their small western high school, while he must deal with his bizarre family life back home.

Thelma dreams of being a glamorous unicorn. Then in a rare pink and glitter-filled moment of fate, Thelma's wish comes true. She rises to instant international stardom, but at an unexpected cost. After a while, Thelma realizes that she was happier as her ordinary, sparkle-free self. So she ditches her horn, scrubs off her sparkles, and returns home, where her best friend is waiting for her with a hug.

Standout tells the powerful story of Ben Kjar, born with Crouzon Syndrome, a rare craniofacial disorder. From birth, doctors warn that his life will be overshadowed by limitations. Ben yearns for an ordinary life free from the harsh scrutiny he faces daily. However, each experience of adversity, including relentless bullying and a series of painful surgeries, ignites a fire within him. Wrestling becomes his proving ground, a place where he learns to transform his facial difference into a source of power. Determined to succeed, he pushes himself relentlessly, breaking through physical, social, and even romantic barriers that once seemed insurmountable. But as unexpected challenges arise and ridicule resurfaces, Ben finds himself at a defining crossroads: fade into the background of a “normal” life, or fully embrace his unique path and boldly stand out.

Ignacio, a disrespected cook at a Mexican monastery, can barely afford to feed the orphans who live there. Inspired by a local wrestling hero, he decides to moonlight as the not-so-famous Luchador "Nacho Libre" to earn money for the monastery -- not to mention the admiration of beautiful nun Sister Encarnación.

Impeached high school president, Tim Timmerman, seeks to redeem himself and get into Yale.

The second installment in the franchise. Plot TBA.

The second installment in the franchise. Plot TBA.