Tom Garber graduated from the Film/Video Department of California Institute of the Arts in 1980, where he mentored with Academy Award winning documentary filmmaker Terry Sanders. Upon graduation, Mr. Garber moved to New York City and formed 20/20 Video Productions. Ten years of commercial and industrial video work for corporate and entertainment clients, honed Mr. Garber’s skills for production, and prepared him for projects with more substantial content.

With a move to Hampton Bays in 1990, Tom formed his documentary production and distribution company, Third Wave Films. His goal is to make quality films on significant maritime subjects, often missed by mainstream media.

Within the historic maritime context, Mr. Garber has written, produced, directed, photographed, and edited nine documentaries which have aired nationally on PBS and The Discovery Channel. These films have been nominated for a NY Emmy, received a Bronze Telly Award, Platinum and Silver REMI Awards from the Houston International Film Festival, a Gold Medal from the Charleston International Film Festival, and First Place in the Suffolk Film and Video Festival.

Mr. Garber’s films have been underwritten by a variety of organizations, including: The United States Department of the Interior, New York State Office of Parks and Historic Preservation, Rhode Island Committe for the Humanities, U.S. Life-Saving Service Heritage Assoc., Bouchard Transportation, McAllister Towing, The Life Saving Benevolent Assoc., Montauk Historical Society ,and The Marine Society of the City of New York.

Tom’s latest documentary project Rum The True American Spirit explores the beverage that bound the issues of the American Revolution.