Jim Ledwith is a successful entrepreneur and longtime resident of Sonoma, California. His interest in unidentified flying objects (UFOs) is the result of extraordinary events going back to his youth. His passion for all things extraterrestrial drew him into research and eventually lectures of which the fine residents of the Sonoma Valley were the chief beneficiaries. Over the past fifteen years he made so many presentations on the UFO/ET subject he came to be known as UFO Jim. Perhaps his most important contribution has been his sponsorship of the UFO Symposium held each year during the Sonoma International Film Festival (SIFF). March of 2023 marks the 11th Symposium in which one or more relevant films are screened along with panel presentations by film principals and other researchers. The SIFF is the only mainstream film festival in the world that includes UFO/ET related films – thanks to Jim Ledwith.
In 2004 at the beginning of his ufological career Jim was interviewed by the Sonoma Index-Tribune. (Those not subscribed to the Index-Tribune can read the article HERE.”)
October 29, 2004 – Mr. UFO: Valley resident fascinated by ‘little green men’ “I don’t think I’m going to be the Messiah who is going to bring this message. I’ve just been invited to this party.” – Jim Ledwith – Tiffany Malehefski, Sonoma Index Tribune
Nine years and many lectures later he was interviewed by Dianne Heber Hart of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat in 2013 at which time he came out as a contactee. Some excerpts from that interview:
What inspired your interest in UFOs and ETs?
I’ve always had this passion and this drive. I didn’t know what it was but I was totally fascinated. (As a young boy) I had already been abducted.
Were you abducted just once?
I, like millions of others, have been taken. First as a child on Long Island, then four or five years ago from this house (in a secluded area of east Sonoma). There were two in the hallway around 2 a.m. The larger one was 4 feet and the smaller one was about 3½-feet. They were standard extraterrestrials.
Had you been drinking or perhaps dreaming?
No. And I never sleepwalk. They were looking for me and I probably sensed them. I can theorize they were coming to get me. What happened next? I ran away, not toward them. It’s called fright flight. The next thing I remember I was sitting on the edge of my bed two hours later.
Are you absolutely convinced UFOs and ETs exist?
I have very little doubt, basically no doubt. They’ve been here forever. There’s tons of evidence.
Interviews with UFOJim
February 3, 2018 – Aquarian Radio with Sasha and Janet Lessin
July 13, 2017 – California MUFON Radio with Lorien Fenton
July 9, 2017 – Spooky Southcoast with Tim Weisberg (Part 1)
July 9, 2017 – Spooky Southcoast with Tim Weisberg (Part 2)
April 9, 2017 – Aquarian Radio with Sasha and Janet Lessin
March 28, 2017 – Bigger Questions with Ron James
Articles about the UFO Symposium and UFOJim
July 8, 2021 – Close encounters of the Sonoma kind – Jim Ledwith, Sonoma Index-Tribune
April 4, 2019 – Valley Forum: UFO expert has message for Sonoma: They are coming – Jim Ledwith, Sonoma Index-Tribune
March 29, 2019 – UFOs return to Sonoma film fest with 9th symposium – Christian Kallen, Sonoma Index-Tribune
November 2, 2017 – UFO program lands in Sonoma on Nov. 6 – Sonoma Index-Tribune
October 31, 2017 – Another close encounter with UFO Jim – Sonoma Valley Sun
May 24, 2016 – Sonoma UFO forum is out of this world – David Templeton, Sonoma Index-Tribune
October 20, 2013 – Crop circles, animal abductions discussed at Sonoma Community Center – Sonoma Index-Tribune
October 20, 2013 – 10 Questions for ‘UFOlogist’ Jim Ledwith – Dianne Reber Hart, Santa Rosa Press Democrat
October 16, 2013 – Oct. 22: UFO expert Jim Ledwith at the Sonoma Community Center – Tara Kaveh, The Bohemian
April 6, 2011 – I Want to Believe: Flying Saucers Take Center Stage at Saturday’s Sonoma International Film Festival – Alexis Fitts, Sonoma Valley Patch
October 29, 2004 – Mr. UFO: Valley resident fascinated by ‘little green men – Tiffany Malehefski, Sonoma Index-Tribune