Jo Ann Skousen is the cultural compass of the liberty movement. As the co-founder of FreedomFest and director of the Anthem Film Festival, she has carved out a unique space where the arts meet ideas, and where storytelling becomes a powerful vehicle for freedom.
With a background as a professor of English and literature, Jo Ann brings depth, heart, and humanity to a world often dominated by policy and economics. She understands that freedom isn’t just argued—it’s felt, experienced, and imagined. Through the Anthem Film Festival, the only fully libertarian film festival in the country, she curates stories that move audiences and challenge assumptions, offering filmmakers a stage to amplify voices that might otherwise be silenced.
Whether moderating a panel, leading a book club, or championing independent creators, Jo Ann is the heartbeat of FreedomFest’s more soulful side. With elegance and insight, she reminds us that liberty is more than a principle—it’s a story we live and share.
