CRANK International Action Film Festival founder Aharon Jinjihashvili is bringing new HITS to the big screen.
As the CRANK International Action Film Festival gears up for another electrifying year, we spoke with its founder, InFocus Film School Film Production Program alumnus Aharon Jinjihashvili, about the event’s origins, challenges, and future. Jinjihashvili’s passion for action films is clear, rooted in a childhood of smuggled video cassettes and a dream to give the action genre the recognition it deserves.
“I grew up on a steady diet of action films,” Jinjihashvili, who also served as a Director on the TV series Pink Is In recalls. “In the Soviet Union, we didn’t have access to US films because of the Cold War. We smuggled in video cassettes and binge-watched them like secret agents on a mission. ‘Bloodsport,’ ‘Terminator,’ ‘Rocky,’ ‘Predator’—these movies were my childhood superheroes. They made me fall in love with the spectacle of cinema.”
These clandestine viewing sessions did more than entertain; they ignited a lifelong passion. “There’s something so gloriously simple about action films. From a filmmaking perspective, they’re one of the hardest genres to master,” he explains. This keen interest is what inspired him to start the Crank International Action Film Festival.
Though Jinjihashvili doesn’t have an extensive background in making action films, his enthusiasm is infectious. “My action filmmaking experience is more like an enthusiastic fanboy with a camera,” he says with a chuckle. “But that’s what makes this action film festival so exciting for me. I’m coming at it as a superfan.”
This perspective helps Jinjihashvili connect deeply with aspiring filmmakers. “I’m honored to meet the next generation of action filmmakers and give them a stage to show off their skills,” he says. While he has some action film projects in the pipeline, his current focus is on nurturing and showcasing new talent through CRANK International Action Film Festival.
For Jinjihashvili, a successful action film relies on two critical elements: vision and teamwork. “As a director, the most important thing is vision. The second most important thing is having a team that can turn that vision into a knockout reality,” he asserts. Key to this process is a skilled stunt coordinator and action designer who can elevate a director’s ideas to spectacular heights.
One of the most heartwarming discoveries has been the camaraderie within the stunt and action community. “They’re like a family of adrenaline junkies who support each other through thick and thin,” Jinjihashvili shares. This sense of community and mutual support has been a cornerstone of the festival’s success and growth.
Jinjihashvili’s vision for CRANK is ambitious and clear. “To become THE place to celebrate action films. To remind people that movies are supposed to be fun, roller-coaster rides of entertainment,” he declares. He envisions CRANK as the premier platform for showcasing the immense talent of action performers and creators, particularly those in Canada.
In closing, Jinjihashvili offers a heartfelt invitation to action film enthusiasts everywhere. “Just come out, have fun, enjoy the kicks, punches, and on-screen mayhem, and support the action community. Bring on the mayhem.”