Story First

No reboots.
No formulas.
Just film-ready originals.

The creative partnership of Jack Roth and Jon Sumple.

Two long-time friends united by a shared belief in the power of story to move, challenge, and transform. Our work is driven by:

• Emotional resonance
• Bold, character-driven arcs
• Dialogue that hits the heart and gut
• Stories that mean something; because meaning stays

We’re not trying to say everything. We’re trying to say the right things, the right way. That’s what great storytelling demands.

We don’t chase trends or repackage nostalgia

Our scripts tell stories worth remembering

In an industry increasingly dominated by reboots, sequels, and recycled IP, we believe audiences are hungry for something more — stories with emotional depth, meaningful characters, sharp dialogue, and ideas that linger long after the credits roll.

We’ve spent decades telling stories through investigative journalism, documentary filmmaking, and the written word. In 2024, we made a conscious decision to bring that experience into the scripted world. Not to replicate what’s been done, but to restore what’s been lost.

We’re not interested in familiar stories.

We’re here to tell new ones.

Our Stories

JACK ROTH is driven by a passion for stories that ask deeper questions and challenge convention. As a journalist, author, and filmmaker, he’s spent his career giving voice to the unexplored, the misunderstood, and the almost-forgotten. Jack led the historical research behind Etta, a script that reframes the mythology of the Wild West through the eyes of the woman who rode with Butch and Sundance. His deep investigative instincts inform every story he writes, uncovering nuance where others see headlines. He’s the co-founder of j3FILMS, where he’s produced three acclaimed documentaries, and the author of three nonfiction books that explore suppressed history, government secrecy, and the paranormal. But at the core of it all, Jack is fueled by innovative storytelling. IMDb: Jack Roth

JON SUMPLE writes to connect. Whether through narrative, dialogue, or cinematic rhythm, he’s spent his life shaping stories that engage emotionally and resonate long after the final frame. With a background in brand strategy and documentary direction, Jon brings clarity, structure, and human depth to every project. He co-wrote Etta with Jack in 2024 as a return to meaningful narrative — and a personal statement about the kinds of stories he believes need telling. As co-founder of j3FILMS, Jon produced and directed three globally streamed documentaries that earned festival acclaim and a loyal international audience. He’s also been a creative force behind numerous narrative projects over the last 25 years. IMDb: Jon Sumple

Scripted Projects

Etta

Film in development

Trapped by birth and bound for boredom, Etta Place defies an era to join the Sundance Kid in a legendary saga of romance and rebellion in the vanishing Wild West.

Two Weeks

Script completed

A jaded writer infiltrates a spiritual retreat to expose it — until an enigmatic actress changes everything he believes about love, death, and what comes next.

Two Weeks poster with woman sitting on top of a boulder in the lotus position meditating with a smile while a man leans against the boulder pondering.

The Sluagh

Script completed

After recurring dreams reveal a past life lost in a tragic fire, a philosophy professor enlists a rogue team of researchers to confront a Celtic entity and save the soulmate he failed to protect a century ago.

No Gentle Country

Script completed

A refined Philadelphia detective and brilliant young Alienist race to catch a sadistic killer before he vanishes into the chaos of Gettysburg days before the bloody Civil War battle begins.

Non-Scripted

We’ve spent decades in the worlds of investigative, documentary, and nonfiction storytelling — asking hard questions, chasing elusive truths, and giving voice to stories most overlook.

Explore our additional work:
j3FILMS.com
jackrothauthor.com

Let’s Talk Story

For inquiries, interest in representation, or project collaboration:

rothsumple@gmail.com

Jack on IMDb | Jon on IMDb | j3FILMS | Roth Author Site

Based in the U.S. — available worldwide