Inspiring Documentary Film, ‘Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat’ Showcases Volunteer Firefighting Community To Audiences Nationwide

‘Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat’ takes audiences behind the lines of America’s volunteer fire service with upcoming theatrical & TVOD/digital release this summer.

Sub-Genre Media began the release of the engaging documentary – ‘Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat’, a Vignette Production and Hold Fast Features Project from filmmaking, co-directing team - Gary Matoso & Cameron Zohoori, in theaters beginning on July 7, 2023, in New York and Los Angeles, as well as across Washington, Texas, Oregon, Tennessee, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Michigan, and Wisconsin, among others, with a North American TVOD/digital platforms release set for July 27, 2023.

‘Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat’ documentary film

The film is a tribute to the nearly 700,000 volunteer firefighters around the country

‘Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat’ is inspired by an original story by Peter Yoakum and takes audiences behind the lines of America’s volunteer fire service community.

The film is a tribute to the nearly 700,000 volunteer firefighters around the country – highlighting their selfless bravery, compassion, motivation, and unfaltering sense of community.

The film is presented by John Deere, in association with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), Hold Fast Features, and Vignette.

Movie screened as part of coveted private screening series

This extraordinary film has screened as part of a coveted private screening series including at the John Deere headquarters, the NVFC Board of Directors meeting, and the NVFC Training Summit, with an upcoming screening at the Elevate from Brand Storytelling in Sundance, UT.

In addition, local volunteer fire departments are invited to host a community screening event to build community support and recruit new members.

Film captures the inspiring journey of volunteer firefighters

The 90-minute film grants audiences exclusive access to follow the inspiring journey of the most remarkable neighbors whose help everyone hopes is never needed – volunteer firefighters – as they encounter heart-breaking challenges and exhilarating triumphs to fulfill a single mission: serving their community.

Heart-warming, humorous, and thrilling, this sweeping portrait of bravery will capture your heart and inspire.

“It’s a film that revives a sense of togetherness and community in the hearts of viewers,” says Sub-Genre’s Head of Distribution, Jordana Meade, adding “We’re thrilled to release Odd Hours, a documentary that shines a light on the diversity of communities across the country helping their neighbors in the most unexpected and extraordinary ways.”

‘Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat’ filmmaking team

‘Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat’ filmmaking team is led by Co-Director, DP, and Producer - Gary Matoso

The ‘Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat’ filmmaking team is led by Co-Director, DP, and Producer - Gary Matoso, Co-Director and Editor - Cameron Zohoori, Executive Producer - Peter Yoakum, Casting Director and Associate Producer - Louise Colette Matoso, and Composer - Dillon Byron.

“The project quickly grew into a challenge: how to preserve and protect one of America’s most critically necessary treasures, its first responder volunteer corps,” says Executive Producer - Peter Yoakum.

Film pays tribute to volunteer firefighters around the country

“This is a film created as a tribute to the nearly 700,000 volunteer firefighters around the country,” explains Co-Director, Cameron Zohoori, adding “In exploring the world of the fire service, we became fascinated by the incredible diversity of people and places we encountered.”

Cameron Zohoori continues, “At a fragile and fractured point in American history, the film is entertaining, hopeful, and optimistic. It suggests that when it comes to the most desperate and important moments of our lives, we will drop everything and come together to help our neighbors.”