Hi, I’m Debbie Richert. I'm a mom, therapist, and film festival director. I founded the Old Times Not Forgotten Film Festival to honor my son Brett Jones and give emerging filmmakers a chance to shine. Brett was a 2019 Derby graduate and filmed athletics at Derby High School. He also created films he submitted to festivals, so I know the importance of seeing your hard work on the big screen. He graduated from the University of Arizona in 2023 with a film degree and had moved to Atlanta to start his career. On 1/4/24 while moving his girlfriend from Tucson to Atlanta and planning to stop in Derby for Christmas, he was killed in a car accident before he made it to Kansas. It has been a difficult journey, but creating the Old Times Not Forgotten Film Festival (named after Brett's last film) has helped. I believe art has the power to heal, connect, and inspire. I'm excited to be part of the Derby Chamber and help grow something beautiful in our community.
