Hey! So nice to speak with you! Can you tell our readers a little bit more about yourself? Where are you originally from and where do you live now?

I’m Joseph Neibich, though onstage I go by Joseph Nybyk. I grew up in the tiny desert town of Gilbert, Arizona, then caught the travel bug early and never really shook it. I studied in New York and Los Angeles and have since bounced around a lot—working, learning, and collecting stories in places like Palawan, Taiwan, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Toronto, Chicago, Las Vegas, and just about every corner of the U.S. Along the way, I’ve picked up a little bit of everywhere I’ve been.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now?

Living in Tucson just fits me. The weather makes everyday life easier—bright skies, warm days, and sunsets that never get old. There’s a genuinely supportive local acting scene here, full of people who love the craft without the ego. The Mexican food is the real deal—family-run spots, bold flavors, and meals that feel like home. And more than anything, it’s the people: relaxed, welcoming, and real. Tucson has a way of keeping things simple and honest, and that’s something I value.

Tell us a little bit more about what your company does and how it started? How does it help your customers?

Faith in Film exists to support artists at every stage of their journey. Through our screenwriting programs and film festival, we create space for storytellers to develop their voices, take creative risks, and be taken seriously. We believe in strong stories, thoughtful craft, and the power of film to connect people. More than anything, we’re about community—encouraging artists, amplifying meaningful work, and helping creators find both confidence and momentum as they grow.

If someone wants to start a business, what's advice that will help them?

in order of importance: 1. Start with a real problem, not a cool idea.

If people aren’t already frustrated, confused, or underserved, you’ll be working uphill. Solve something specific, and money follows usefulness.

2. Keep it embarrassingly simple at first.

Most businesses fail from overbuilding. Start with the smallest version that delivers value. Fancy comes later.

3. Charge sooner than feels comfortable.

If no one will pay, it’s not a business—it’s a hobby. Pricing clarifies everything.

4. Momentum beats perfection.

Done and improving wins over perfect and invisible. Launch early. Learn fast. Adjust without ego.

5. Build relationships before you need them.

Customers, collaborators, mentors—business grows through trust, not just talent. Be helpful, be consistent, be human.

6. Protect your time like it’s money—because it is.

Most “busy work” is avoidance. Focus on the few actions that actually move revenue or traction.

7. Expect doubt—and move anyway.

Fear doesn’t mean you’re wrong. It usually means you’re doing something that matters.

8. Stay in the game longer than others.

Consistency is underrated. A lot of success comes from not quitting when it gets boring, slow, or uncomfortable.

9. Know why you’re doing this.

When things get messy—and they will—your reason is what keeps you steady.

10. Take responsibility for everything.

No blaming the market, the algorithm, or timing. Ownership sharpens your decisions and your growth.

What was one feedback from a happy customer/client that you won't forget about?

I had a filmmaker who'd spent years making films about faith without ever seeing one on a big screen. Every prayerful moment, every quiet doubt, had lived on a laptop—small, private, almost hidden.

We are a small festival, So when the theater lights went down, there was no fanfare no papparazi, just filmmakers networking with filmmakers, but you could feel his gratitude. There was no arrogance and no envy, just pure gratitude that we had created a space for films like his, and what I love about his story is, it was a space that didn't exist until we created. We did that for filmmakers like him.

It felt less like a premiere and more like an answered prayer.

Where do you see your company in the future?

We see Faith in Film getting bigger and better every year until we are the gold standard in the festival industry

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

A big misconception about the film festival world is that success is mostly about nepotism—who you know, who you’re related to, or which doors you’re born near. That certainly exists in parts of the industry, but it’s not the engine that actually keeps festivals running.

Most film festivals survive on credibility. Programmers are looking for strong storytelling, originality, and films that move an audience—because their reputation depends on it. A weak film with the “right” last name doesn’t help a festival sell tickets, attract press, or build trust with filmmakers.

What really matters is the work. A clear voice. A well-told story. A film that connects. Festivals need discovery as much as filmmakers need opportunity.

You don’t need nepotism to break in. You need craft, persistence, and the courage to put your work in front of people. That’s the part no shortcut can replace.

What was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?

Mike Schmidt has always been my favorite baseball player—not just because of the stats, but because of what he represented. He played the game with power and discipline, confidence without flash. A third baseman who made something brutally difficult look steady and earned.

He didn’t feel manufactured or hyped. He felt earned. Night after night, he showed up, did the work, and let results speak for themselves. There’s something timeless about that kind of greatness—no shortcuts, no gimmicks, just excellence sustained over time.

For me, Mike Schmidt wasn’t just a player to watch. He was a reminder that consistency, humility, and commitment can build a legacy that lasts far beyond the highlights

Any shoutouts you want to make?

Shout out to everyone making films with a higher purpose—the storytellers chasing meaning instead of trends, depth instead of noise. To the ones telling stories that ask hard questions, offer hope, wrestle with faith, and point toward something bigger than themselves.

Your work may not always be the loudest, fastest, or most algorithm-friendly—but it matters. It reaches people quietly, deeply, and at the right time. Keep going. Keep telling the stories that come from conviction, not convenience.

The world needs films that don’t just entertain, but mean something.

Where can our readers follow your work or learn more about your upcoming projects?

They can learn more about us by coming to one of our festivals.

https://www.tucsonweekly.com/cityweek/renaissance-man-the-weeklys-best-comedian-takes-center-stage-36904018/
https://filmfreeway.com/JosephNybyk
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0624599/bio/
https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/joseph-neibich/3060375345/
https://vimeo.com/josephneibich