LOS ANGELES–JOJX has added Sevasti Buford as executive producer and partner. With an extensive background in representing and nurturing directing talent, Buford brings experience, strategic insight, and a fresh creative perspective to the leadership team.
โWhat drew me to this role was the level of trust and shared vision I have with my partners, [JOJX co-founders] Joe Care and Jackson Morton,โ Buford said. โWeโve supported each other for over a decade, even as competitors, and now, aligning our expertise feels like the perfect move forward. Our unified approach–with Joeโs production acumen, Jacksonโs creative direction, and my background in sales and strategy–creates a well-balanced forward-thinking team thatโs looking ahead. Itโs been a joy to have fun in between the mental gymnastics that goes into a winning pitch!โ
Bufordโs appointment marks a significant step in JOJXโs evolution, particularly in its commitment to prioritizing diversity and inclusion. As the first female partner at JOJX, she is already making strides in bringing more female talent to the forefront, with her first signing being director Madeline Clayton.
Buford joins JOJX from Stink Films, where she was head of sales for over six years. During her tenure at Stink, Buford played a pivotal role in the development and success of numerous directors. Her eye for talent and commitment to fostering female representation both in front of and behind the camera has been a defining aspect of her career.
Buford has been instrumental in introducing emerging directors like Loose, Felix Brady, and Douglas Bernardt to the U.S. market, helping them gain traction and establish their voices within the industry. Her work has contributed to the winning of numerous awards, including multiple Cannes Lions, and she has played a key role in commissioning projects for high-profile clients like Apple, NBA, Squarespace and eBay.
Care said of Buford, โHer impeccable taste and unwavering work ethic make her a true asset and partner and her soft touch in sales turns every opportunity into a lasting relationship. Her track record in the industry is unparalleled, and her approach to director positioning and strategy aligns perfectly with our mission to produce progressive content that forges lasting connections between brands and viewers.โ
โSevi brings her extensive history of sales experience and talent for propelling creatives into culture-shifting forces to the role,โ said Jackson. โOur synergy was sparked by a shared vision for the companyโs creative evolution, and her impact on JOJX has been transformative. In just a month, sheโs orchestrated the signing of two extraordinary directors, Radical Friend and Madeline Clayton. Her forward-thinking vision positions her not only as a leader at JOJX, but as a catalyst for shaping the companyโs future presence in the industry.โ
Optimus promotes Caralyn Moore to editor
Caralyn Moore has been promoted to editor at Optimus, the production and post house with offices in Chicago and New York. Moore started at Optimus in 2019 as a seasoned assistant editor, next earning the title of senior assistant and now making the jump to editor.
Moore has cut spots for such brands as CDW, Chicago Humanities Festival, Famous Footwear, Hillshire Farm, Walgreens and WW. In addition, she edited the independent feature film All Happy Families, which premiered at the 60th Chicago International Film Festival last fall and is releasing in select AMC Theatres nationwide on September 20.
โEditing is like a big open-ended puzzle, where you only use a fraction of the pieces and there are no right answers (though there are definitely wrong ones),โ said Moore. โI love the challenge of finding the right balance of visuals, pacing, music, sound, and information--itโs precarious, itโs challenging, itโs endlessly creative and fun.โ
โCaralyn has proven time and again how skilled she is in her craft,โ said Angelo Valencia, Optimus managing editor/partner. โHer calming presence always makes you feel you are going to be well taken care of and her attention to detail is second to none. I am so excited for her to showcase her talent for everyone to see.โ
Born and raised in Northern Virginia, just outside Washington, DC, Moore was passionate about theater classes at school and making short films with her friends and family. Her love of writing, acting and especially editing, landed her at Northwestern University for film school. Following graduation, Moore spent time in the documentary production world in Washington, DC, and then several years freelance assistant editing back in Chicago.
โCaralynโs... Read More