“Hollywood is a machine that eats people alive. I’ve seen talented filmmakers burn out, disappear, or compromise their vision just to survive. I wasn’t going to be one of them.” 

That’s how Marshall Moore describes his decision to leave the cutthroat world of Hollywood behind and carve out a different kind of film career in Utah. Today, he’s at the helm of the Zions Indie Film Festival, working to elevate Utah’s reputation as an independent film hub.

Hollywood in the 1980s was a brutal place. Young filmmakers fought for their shot, and getting in often meant starting at the bottom. Moore didn’t have a clear-cut path into the industry, but he had the drive. He worked on TV series like Touched by an Angel and Everwood, moving through the ranks and gaining an insider’s look at how productions were made.

Then, Utah happened. What was supposed to be a temporary gig scouting locations for The Stand, a Stephen King adaptation, turned into a realization: Utah had everything Hollywood needed, from epic landscapes to a strong work ethic among local crews. 

“I looked around and thought, ‘Why isn’t everyone filming here?’ It was stunning, it was accessible, and it had a talent pool that was completely underrated,” Moore recalls. The move made sense, and in 1993, he left California behind.

Once in Utah, Moore quickly became a major player. As the head of the Utah Film Commission for seven years, he was the guy convincing big studios to film here. “You’d be surprised how many times I had to tell Hollywood execs, ‘Yes, we have everything from cityscapes to Martian landscapes — and yes, we have crews that know what they’re doing,’” he says. Under his leadership, productions flooded in, cementing Utah’s status as a serious filmmaking destination.

But even with big-name productions rolling in, there was another side of the industry Moore wanted to nurture — independent filmmaking. And that’s where the Zions Indie Film Festival comes in.

The LDS Film Festival had been around for years, serving as a niche event for faith-based films. But in 2021, Moore and his wife Michelle saw an opportunity. They took over, rebranded, and turned it into the Zions Indie Film Festival, a space for filmmakers with unique voices and stories to tell.

“I wanted to build something that celebrated storytelling without the Hollywood politics,” Moore explains. “I’ve seen amazing films get buried because they didn’t fit a certain mold. That’s not what we do here.”

Unlike the high-brow exclusivity of Sundance, Zions Indie Film Fest focuses on accessibility. It’s a space where up-and-coming filmmakers can showcase their work without the red tape of major film circuits. Family-friendly films, gripping indie dramas, and creative experimental pieces all have a home here.

The festival has grown fast. “The first year, we had no idea what to expect. By the second year, we had tripled our submissions, and people were calling us the ‘festival to watch.’ That’s when I knew we were onto something,” Moore says. It’s no longer just a regional event — it’s becoming a key player in the indie film world.

With streaming platforms shifting the industry landscape, the traditional Hollywood model isn’t what it used to be. Big-budget blockbusters dominate, but the mid-budget character-driven films are disappearing. Moore sees indie festivals like his as the breeding ground for the next generation of filmmakers. And Utah, with its deep-rooted film history and emerging talent pool, is positioned to be at the forefront of this movement.

“If you’re a filmmaker today, you don’t have to wait for Hollywood to notice you. You build your audience, you make your film, and you get it in front of the right people. That’s what we’re here to do — give filmmakers that platform,” he says.

Moore isn’t done yet. He’s working to build stronger networks for filmmakers, pushing for more support for Utah’s indie film community, and ensuring that Zions Indie Film Fest continues to grow.

For anyone interested in authentic, independent storytelling, the Zions Indie Film Festival is a must-attend event. And thanks to Moore’s vision, it’s quickly becoming one of the most exciting film gatherings in the West.

Feature Image: Derek Mellus, Utah Film Commissioner, Mimi Davis, Film & TV Location Manager, Marshall Moore, co-owner of Zions Indie Film Festival.