Film critic for Fox19, artistic director of the Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival, husband, dad, friend, and son, Terrence “TT” Stern-Enzi died Sept. 29. He was 56.
After years as lead programmer and curator of the OTR film festival, Stern-Enzi began serving as the artistic director of the festival in 2021.
According to a GoFundMe page for Stern-Enzi, he was diagnosed with Stage IV sarcomatoid renal cancer.
Stern-Enzi’s illness was believed to be a bad case of pneumonia, but after being admitted to Christ Hospital Aug. 30, it was discovered that Stern-Enzi’s illness was a rare, aggressive cancer that had metastasized to both lungs.
An statement from the OTR Film Festival said Stern-Enzi was instrumental in the festival’s growth and in shaping its artistic direction. He put an emphasis on sharing stories that foster human connection.
“Today we mourn the loss of a true creative force in Cincinnati. tt was a champion for vital artists and filmmakers from all walks of life whose unique voices were often ignored by the mainstream. His passion for movies was a passion for humanity itself, as he sought to connect us all through the power of sharing our stories. His was a story of insight, courage, and generosity.” – Susan Brownknight, CEO of Living Arrangements for the Developmentally Disabled.
Stern-Enzi served on the advisory board for Cincinnati Center for Film & Media Studies and was a board member of both the Film Festival Alliance and Art House Convergence.
He has worked as a film critic for FOX19 for more than five years.
When he died, Stern-Enzi was surrounded by love from his family, according to an update about his death on the family’s GoFundMe page. “It’s a shock that will take time to digest for all of us who loved him.”
A friend of TT and his wife, Jess, recalls the beginning of the relationship between the two. Chloe Annetts said when TT and Jess started dating, she was coming out of a difficult divorce with two young children.
“It was clear that he was a breath of fresh air for my friend, who knew quickly she had met her soulmate. But the way he approached becoming a stepdad was remarkable,” Annetts said. Stern-Enzi was sensitive to the fact the two children already had a father. What ended up happening is those two children never used the word “step” and only ever called him their dad.
“He raised them and he supported them with unconditional love no matter what. A total gem of a human,” she said.
The GoFundMe was originally started to raise money to pay for Stern-Enzi’s medical care. At this point, the donations – almost $57,000 – will be used to cover hospital bills and end-of-life expenses.
Funeral arrangements were not yet available.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Pillar of Cincinnati film community dies a month after cancer diagnosis
Reporting by Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
