dr-john

John Osborne

John, dr-john, Doc – I’m a writer, producer, film programmer, and film festival juror. For over a decade, I’ve run an active film production company in the village of Mendocino, on the stunning Northern California coast. The town is small and charming, nestled in a landscape that’s both uplifting and awe-inspiring. It may be chilly at times, but it’s breathtakingly beautiful. The community here is full of kind, creative people, and the food scene is excellent!

The rainbow is out of sight.

The film industry, both here and elsewhere, is a big part of my life. I’ve worked on several feature films and some shorts. I have recently produced a short documentary film titled, 13 Seconds. I collaborated closely with composer and director, Matthew Ferraro. Shortly after the Twin Towers fell on 9/11, Mr. Ferraro was encouraged to go to New York to interview survivors. During a six weeks period of time, he recorded their testimonies, eventually transforming those voices into a powerful orchestral composition. We adapted that musical presentation into a short film — intense, emotional, and timely. It has been in the film festival circuit for several months now. It’s doing well, and we believe the film will have a significant impact.

I produced a second short film, Train At Sunset, on a parallel timeline. Directed by Matthew Ferraro and Nicole Bell, it is an experimental short film about a Bob Dylan painting that was destroyed in the Los Angeles Palisades fire in 2025. It belonged to Matthew Ferraro, one of the film’s directors, who wanted to keep the painting alive by creating his associations with it. It’s a train ride for everyone.

Much of my time is also devoted to film festivals. I serve as Associate Programmer for the American Documentary and Animation Film Festival – AmDocs (https://amdocfilmfest.com/) in Palm Springs, founded by Teddy Grouya. It’s a wonderful filmmaker-friendly event. In addition to programming, I participate as a panelist, moderator, and filmmaker liaison. Each year, I travel to Europe to scout new films for our five-day lineup, usually at the end of March. These international connections have enriched my perspective and broadened my understanding of global issues and diverse approaches to filmmaking. 

Before working with AmDocs, however, I was deeply involved with the Mendocino Film Festival — as a volunteer, board member, interviewer, program moderator, and juror. I have helped showcase directors and producers, coordinated musical guests, and contributed to the festival’s dynamic and contagious energy.

With actor and producer, Pierce Brosnan and Michael Fox, Executive Director of the Mendocino Film Festival

Earlier in my career, I was a college professor, developing and teaching courses in English, Film, and the Humanities. I also led a study abroad program to Italy. Teaching film was a major passion, and my time in the graduate film program at San Francisco State laid a strong foundation. But working on location for major studio productions gave me a real-world crash course in movie-making that swept me off my feet.

Another wonderful aspect of my life in the Mendocino area has come from the wine industry. Thanks to the Mendocino Film Festival’s Cinema in the Vineyards program, I met winemaker Van Williamson. After a film screening about wine, he was part of a forum that discussed the terroir of nearby Anderson Valley, our wine country. I learned a lot. We later ran into each other in a local restaurant and started a conversation. I’ve been a Tasting Room Associate for Witching Stick Wines ever since! I’m enamored by the possibility of making a wine-themed film. Cheers!

With winemaker, Van Williamson, at the Witching Stick Winery Tasting Room in Philo, Anderson Valley, California.