Martin “Marty” Jones, 1986
B.A., Denison University
Founder
Day for Night Entertainment
Austin, Texas
Jones is a two-time Emmy Award-nominated producer and the founder of Day for Night Entertainment and Black Film Geniuses. Known as a visionary creative leader, his four decades of industry experience uniquely blend film, culture, and business innovation.
Throughout a career built equally in the studio system and as an independent, Jones has produced feature films at New Millennium Studios and through his own companies, music videos, and national commercials for global brands like Chevrolet and Turner Networks. His production company, Day for Night Entertainment, continues that independent tradition as the home for his current slate of original work. He champions underrepresented voices and is the proud founder of Black Film Geniuses, a collective of emerging black women filmmakers with active implementations in Zimbabwe and Cameroon — modeling the future of accessible global filmmaking.
Previously, Jones served as Head of Austin Studios at the Austin Film Society, one of the nation’s leading media nonprofits. Before that, he was the CEO of MetroEast Community Media in Oregon, a nonprofit providing multimedia training and studio access to underserved communities. He has worked in media production, studio management, and film since 1986. He generously gives his time to the film community and beyond as a nonprofit trustee, film festival juror, and mentor.
As well as being a generous Denison donor, Jones dedicates his time and experience to the university as the vice president of the Black Alumni Association. He served on the alumni council for 16 years and as chair of Denison’s Annual Fund for several years, encouraging thousands of Denisonians to give back to the university. He has been a frequent career volunteer, guest speaker, member of the Denison University Research Foundation board, and internship host, among many other forms of outreach and support.