Potent PR
Independent Film Publicity
Jonah Blechman
With over 35 years in the entertainment industry, Potent PR’s founder, Jonah Blechman, has championed hundred’s of films from first time filmmakers to prestigious studio distributors.
Jonah’s vast storytelling pedigree accentuates any campaign. His passionate public relations efforts include leading Oscar and Golden Globe campaigns for both Foreign and Documentary submissions, while garnering over 3 Sundance Jury Prizes, Audience Awards for both Palm Springs International Film Fest and Slamdance Film Festival’s Narrative and Documentary sections, LAFF Jury Prizes, as well as multiple Grand Jury Awards at Outfest and other LGBTQ festivals.
Jonah has led festival press for over 140 films at Los Angeles’s most prestigious film festival in the heart of Hollywood, AFI Fest, including such films as LINCOLN and LIFE OF PI. He also led the PR department for the 15TH , 16th, and 17th annual 11 day Los Angeles based Dances With Films festival, as well as the Los Angeles OUT Web Fest, and Revry’s Visibility Awards at YouTube Space LA. Jonah’s festival experience also includes Toronto, Cannes, Tribeca, SXSW, LAFF, SIFF, Cinequest, Frameline, Newfest, etc.
Jonah has lead theatrical, DVD/VOD, and festival campaigns for such esteemed filmmakers as Jonathan Demme (NEIL YOUNG TRUNK SHOW), Paul Thomas Anderson (THE MASTER), Nick Cassavetes (YELLOW), Andrew Haigh (WEEKEND), Ira Sachs (KEEP THE LIGHTS ON), James Franco (INTERIOR. LEATHER BAR., KING COBRA) Travis Matthews (I WANT YOUR LOVE, INTERIOR. LEATHER BAR , DISCREET), Kyle Patrick Alvarez (EASIER WITH PRACTICE, C.O.G.), Richard Press (BILL CUNNINGHAM: NEW YORK), Jeffrey Schwarz (I AM DIVINE, THE FABULOUS ALLAN CARR), Stephen Kijak (STONES IN EXILE, WE ARE X), Doris Dorrie (QUE CARAMBA ES LA VIDA), Sofia Takal (GREEN), Catherine Gund (BORN TO FLY), Judy Chaikin (THE GIRLS IN THE BAND), Jeff Kaufman (EVERY ACT OF LIFE), Robert Clift and Hillary Demmon (MAKING MONTGOMERY CLIFT) and Shaun Kadlec & Deb Tulman (BORN THIS WAY).
Beyond independent films, Jonah’s public relations firm, Potent PR, also proudly services LGBTQ advocacy apps as well as streaming platforms for niche media including Revry, the first global LGBTQ streaming network and Chopso, the first all Asian English speaking streaming network.
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TESTIMONIALS
“Jonah Blechman is a delight to work with -- never overbearing, always providing the necessary information and materials, and endlessly patient and good-humored in an industry where both are in short supply.”
Alonso Duralde (Film Editor at TheWrap.com)
"Potent PR has become my go-to company for many of our top films — they demonstrate great taste, hard work, and tremendous results in both New York and L.A. Also a joy to work with…and we all know how important that is in this business."
Jeffrey Winter (The Film Collaborative)
"Jonah Blechman has the kind of commitment, savvy and devotion I see in only the most successful Hollywood publicists. He believes in his work, slaves tirelessly to elevate and bring it to the general public. Few men in Hollywood are as delightful to work with."
David Reddish (Entertainment Editor at Q.Digital / Queerty)
“All hail Jonah Blechman! He has been a trusted partner in navigating the world of independent film PR for my documentaries. I’m grateful for his expertise and his infectious enthusiasm.”
Jeffrey Schwarz (Director - THE FABULOUS ALLAN CARR, TAB HUNTER CONFIDENTIAL, I AM DIVINE)
“A valuable and trustworthy publicist, Blechman’s tenacity, as well as his enthusiasm for queer cinema, is appreciated by the filmmakers he represents as well as the media folks he works with. Potent PR takes on projects that demand attention."
Gary M. Kramer (Writer at Salon, Gay City News, Philadelphia Gay News and The San Francisco Bay Times)
“Jonah is amazing …. upbeat, engaging and a wealth of knowledge on everything film and press-related.”
Richard Ross (Co-President, Breaking Glass Pictures)
“Jonah Blechman did an outstanding job representing our Terrence McNally documentary, Every Act Of Life, at Outfest 2018. He helped organize a phenomenal red carpet and exceeded expectations for the press the film received during its' Los Angeles screenings. He was a pleasure to work with and we highly recommend PotentPR.”
Jeff Kaufman & Marcia S. Ross (Floating World Pictures)
"We are huge fans of Jonah and his team at Potent PR. They are consistently bringing in excellent results for the catered campaigns we desire and are ALWAYS quick to respond with the answers we need. Potent PR provides the white-glove treatment that is not only desired but necessary in today's difficult landscape for indie films."
Michael Repsch (President, Dark Star Pictures)
“Jonah's warm approach and years of experience make for enduring relationships with press and directors alike. I trust Jonah to do the work and get the best press possible for any given project, I never stress when he's on the team.”
Travis Mathews (Director - I WANT YOUR LOVE, INTERIOR. LEATHER BAR., DISCREET)
“We love Jonah! He had such a good feel for our film's core identity, and helped us figure out how to talk about it in a way that played to our strengths. He was an attentive, empathetic listener who gave us useful feedback on our interviews and Q&As. And we couldn't have been more pleased with the press the film received! We hope to work with him again in the future!”
Robert Clift & Hillary Demmon Clift (Directors - MAKING MONTGOMERY CLIFT)