about
The Ozarks Film Foundry is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating a thriving film industry in Southwest Missouri. Since its founding in 2022, it has worked to connect filmmakers with essential resources, professional training, and networking opportunities while engaging the public through screenings, workshops, and festivals. By providing industry-standard infrastructure and fostering collaboration, the organization is laying the foundation for a sustainable and dynamic film economy in the region. Through its creative hub, The Film Foundry, and its industry facing component, the Southwest Missouri Film Office, it supports both local productions and visiting filmmakers, positioning the Ozarks as a premier destination for independent storytelling and media production.
At the heart of the Ozarks Film Foundry’s mission is its motto: Serve, Connect, Build, Educate. Serve represents its dedication to supporting filmmakers at all levels, ensuring they have the tools and guidance needed to succeed. Connect underscores its role in bridging the gap between the film industry and the broader community, fostering relationships that strengthen both. Build reflects its commitment to developing film infrastructure, from production spaces to educational programs, ensuring the region is equipped for a flourishing industry. Educate highlights its focus on training the next generation of filmmakers, providing workshops, professional development, and hands-on experiences that empower creatives to bring their visions to life.
By empowering filmmakers, strengthening regional film infrastructure, and fostering a supportive creative community, the Ozarks Film Foundry is shaping the future of filmmaking in the region. Through its initiatives, it is not just promoting film in the Ozarks—it is transforming Southwest Missouri into a destination for film and media production.
Meet the Team
The Film Foundry is powered by a dedicated team of volunteers and contractors who are passionate about fostering creativity, education, and community in the Ozarks. Our team brings together professionals from various backgrounds in film, business, and the arts, all working toward a shared mission—to support and grow the local creative industry. Each member plays a vital role in building a thriving space for filmmakers, performers, and storytellers to connect and succeed.
Board President/OITVFest Director
Monty Dobson
Monty Dobson is a screenwriter, Director and award winning filmmaker whose works have been broadcast nationally and screened at film festivals internationally. Dobson is an inaugural (2022) Mentee of the Catalyst Storyroad Institute’s National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Official Screenwriting Mentorship Program. Monty lives in Springfield, Missouri with his wife Jacqueline and a small herd of rescue cats.
Outreach Director/Film Office Liaison
Ken Childers
Ken Childers is TOFF's current Outreach Director and has a media background that extends back 40 years. He is the grandson of a film and voice actor and that fact inspires me to assist the industry. Helping non-profits is very important to Ken, and he had the privilege of running one for 13 years.
Social Media & Programs Director
TOM BAKER
Tom Baker is an award-winning filmmaker, director, and cinematographer with over 30 years of experience in theatre and more than a decade in film production. As the owner of Bravo Creative LLC, Tom has worked with hundreds of clients, specializing in short-form documentaries, commercials, and creative storytelling that highlight local businesses and nonprofits.
At the Ozarks Film Foundry, Tom serves as the Social Media & Programs Director, where he oversees digital outreach, filmmaker engagement, and the development of training programs like the Trade Development Initiative (TDI). A passionate advocate for collaboration, Tom believes that “filmmaking is networking” and works to connect emerging and experienced creatives throughout the Ozarks region.
Board of Directors
Board Director | Board President
Monty Dobson
Term starts: 2/2024
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Monty Dobson is a screenwriter, Director and award winning filmmaker whose works have been broadcast nationally and screened at film festivals internationally. Dobson is an inaugural (2022) Mentee of the Catalyst Storyroad Institute’s National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Official Screenwriting Mentorship Program. Monty lives in Springfield, Missouri with his wife Jacqueline and a small herd of rescue cats.
Board Director | Secretary
Terri Carr
Term starts: 7/2025
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Ozark Film Foundry Board, Secretary. Graduate of Missouri State University and am currently teaching music in the Everton RIII Schools. I also volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House and am on the Children's Committee for the Have Faith Initiative. I have volunteered in my church for several years and have served as the 1st Counselor in our Stake Primary which helps the children and their leaders in over 11 congregations.
Board Director
Matt Graham
Term starts: 12/2023
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Matt Graham is driven by a passion for service, instilled by a family dedicated to education and ministry. With a deep appreciation for the arts and film, his experience in TV and video production throughout high school and college shaped his understanding of storytelling’s impact. As a board member of the Ozarks Film Foundry, he is excited to contribute to the region’s growing film industry, fostering connections and opportunities for filmmakers. Committed to growth, inspiration, and community, he believes that investing in others brings immeasurable rewards.​
Board Director
Adam Engebretson
Term starts: 7/2025
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Adam Engebretson is a Software Engineer by day, and a Software Engineer by night. He has stuck his nose into the local film scene, first by helping SATO48 – a local 48-hour film challenge – move entirely online, opening the doors to international participation. He has also dipped his toes into video editing, most recently editing the premiere of the Ghost Light Sessions hosted at the historic Gillioz Theatre in collaboration with the Missouri Film Office.
Board Director
Ken Childers
Term Start: 3/2024
Chair: Public Relations and Outreach
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I have a media background that extends back 40 years. I am the grandson of a film and voice actor and that fact inspires me to assist the industry. Helping non-profits is very important to me; I had the privilege to run one for 13 years.
Creative Council
The Creative Council is a network of industry professionals, community leaders, and creatives who support the mission of the Ozarks Film Foundry and the growth of the film industry in the Ozarks. Comprised of individuals from local nonprofits, the arts, business, and government, the council helps strengthen connections within the creative community and promotes opportunities for filmmakers in the region.
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Designed for those who are passionate about film and media but unable to commit to full board membership, the Creative Council provides a flexible way to be involved with the Ozarks Film Foundry. Members share insights through surveys, engage with industry initiatives, and support events through networking, advocacy, and fundraising efforts. While not a governing body, the council serves as a collaborative space for those who want to contribute to the development of the regional film industry.
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Through their expertise, resources, and enthusiasm, Creative Council members play a key role in expanding awareness of the Ozarks Film Foundry’s work, strengthening industry connections, and supporting a thriving creative ecosystem in Southwest Missouri.