Jake Isgar, the film programmer for Alamo Drafthouse, has a passion for film that began at a young age. Growing up in Florida, he spent countless hours watching movies on cable and VHS, with favorites like “Last Action Hero,” “Ghostbusters,” and “Big Trouble in Little China” leaving a lasting impression on him. Isgar’s love for film led him to pursue a double major in communications and humanities at Florida State University, where he also worked in live sports production and booked movies at the on-campus movie theater. After graduating in 2013, Isgar moved to Austin, Texas, where he volunteered for Alamo’s annual genre festival, Fantastic Fest, and got accepted to the Austin Film Society’s internship program. He quickly immersed himself in the Austin film scene, working server shifts at Alamo, helping with events and trailer cutting for AFS, and attending screenings at both.
In 2019, Isgar moved to San Francisco to take on his current role as film programmer for Alamo Drafthouse. In this position, he is responsible for booking and scheduling films at Alamo’s dozens of venues, as well as contributing to marketing campaigns and collaborating with operations teams. He also manages Alamo’s Fantastic Fest Presents screening series nationwide and focuses on the repertory programming for larger metro markets.
Isgar is motivated by the joy of discovery and enjoys the challenge of booking a diverse range of films, from mainstream Hollywood flicks to un-mainstream stuff. He is particularly passionate about Alamo’s Terror Tuesday series, which showcases a mix of genres, eras, and on-screen and off-screen representation.
Isgar believes that Alamo Drafthouse offers a unique movie-going experience, with its in-theater dining, killer pre-shows, and crisp image and sound. He is committed to making the most of his position by taking chances on independent work and wild ideas on a larger scale.
Isgar’s love for film is evident in everything he does. He is a passionate and knowledgeable programmer who is always looking for ways to share his love of film with others.
