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1-11 of 11
- Director
- Editor
- Producer
Director James Kicklighter spent the first eighteen years of his life in Bellville, Georgia, population 123. Since then, he has gone on to become a multi-award winning film director and producer. His work has been recognized by the world's press, including The Hollywood Reporter, The Times of India, Film Courage and FilmInk Australia.
In 2024, Kicklighter will release The American Question. What is the glue that holds a society together? Following numerous subjects since December 2016, The American Question examines the root of American polarization and the repercussions of eroded civic institutions, public trust and leadership - revealing pathways forward to solve the problem. Guided by an all-star lineup of experts, including Amy Chua (Day of Empire), Colin Woodard (American Nations), Yuval Levin (The Fractured Republic) and Yascha Mounk (The People vs. Democracy), we examine the broader arc of history and discover new revelations about the shared values system that binds society together in times of triumph and turmoil.
Kicklighter directs The American Question with a creative team including producer Guy Seemann, an international political consultant, director of photography Jonathan Pope (Emmy® Award Nominee, The Social Dilemma (2020), editors Mohamed El Manasterly (Emmy® Award Winner, The Square (2013), J.D. Sievertson ("Cosmos") and Carlos Puga (Emmy® Award Winner, "True Life").
In 2021, Kicklighter released The Sound of Identity (2020), winner of the 2020 Outshine Film Festival's prestigious Programmers Award of Excellence. The Sound of Identity (2020) captures Lucia Lucas on the cusp of international stardom, profiling the moment in an artist's career when everything could fall apart or come together. Showcasing the collaborative process between Lucas and her mentor, prolific and renowned composer Tobias Picker, Mozart's Don Giovanni comes to life as Lucas, a world-renowned baritone, takes the spotlight and all the pressures that come with it. Taking place at the height of her career, Lucas becomes the first transgender Opera performer to have a leading role on the American stage, revealing the professional risk she is taking and what it means for those who follow. Exploring the role that identity plays in our personal and professional lives, The Sound of Identity (2020) provides a nuanced look at voice and gender, in a documentary film The Independent Critic calls "director James Kicklighter's best film yet."
Directed by James Kicklighter, The Sound of Identity (2020) is a production from the Emmy Award-winning team of Russ Kirkpatrick & Andy Kinslow (Boomtown: An American Journey, Unlikely Family), and is executive produced by Golden Globe®-winner and Academy Award®-nominated Joshua Bachove (Minari (2020), The Little Hours), with Jonathan Pope (The Social Dilemma (2020) as the Director of Photography.
In 2019, Kicklighter produced Every 9 Hours (2019), the directorial debut of novelist Jim St. Germain (A Stone of Hope) and Emmy-award winner Adam Margolis. Every 9 Hours (2019) is a modern-day exploration of skin color and gender and how they affect one's ability to participate in relationships and society. Every 9 Hours (2019) stars Philip Smithey ('Code Black,' 'Grace and Frankie'), Elisabeth Ferrara ('Lethal Weapon'), Kahyun Kim ('American Gods'), and legendary actor Danny Trejo ('Machete', 'Predators').
In 2018, Kicklighter directed Angel of Anywhere (2018), the story of an empathetic stripper who plays therapist to his many damaged clientele and co-workers. Angel of Anywhere (2018) stars Briana Evigan (Step Up Movie 2: The Streets), Ser'Darius Blain (Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle), and introduces Axel Rockham as Angel. Earning numerous critical accolades, the film won Best Narrative Short at the 2018 Macon Film Festival. Additionally, Angel of Anywhere (2018) screened at nearly two dozen global film festivals, including the Academy Award®-qualifying Hollyshorts and Sidewalk Film Festivals. Angel of Anywhere (2018) was distributed internationally by Hewes Pictures on broadcast television through ShortsTV. It was also acquired in 2019 by the digital platform Omeleto for its four million subscribers.
Immediately after Kicklighter's twenty-fifth birthday, his first feature film, Desires of the Heart (2013), was released theatrically by Luminosity Pictures in India. Desires of the Heart (2013) was an official selection of the 2014 Cannes Marché Du Film and winner of Best Foreign Film at the 2013 Los Angeles Femme Film Festival. Desires of the Heart (2013) is the story of Dr. Kris Sharma (Val Lauren, Interior. Leather. Bar., Sal) a psychiatrist from India practicing in Savannah, Georgia when he meets Madeline (Alicia Minshew, "All My Children"), a local artist with a mysterious past. As their relationship begins to blossom in America, Kris is summoned home by his brother (Gulshan Grover, I Am Kalam) to marry the woman chosen by his parents. As Kris begins to make decisions about his future, he discovers centuries old secrets that may seal the fate of his destiny. Desires of the Heart (2013) was filmed on location with an international cast and crew in Rajasthan, India and Savannah, Georgia.
Additionally, Kicklighter was the Film Director for Hillary Clinton's 2016 Presidential Campaign in Virginia, directing content featuring Sen. Tim Kaine, Sean Astin, Lena Dunham, Kate Walsh, Bellamy Young, Constance Wu, Miley Cyrus, Michelle Kwan, former secretary of state Madeleine Albright, and other public and political figures. However, his favorite memories include directing profiles private citizens, including American heroes like Sgt. Jimmy Ochan.
He serves on the Advisory Board for the Department of Communication Arts at Georgia Southern University, his Alma mater, where he was chosen out of over 30,000 living graduates to be listed on the inaugural "40 Under 40 Alumni" for "impact in business, leadership, community, educational and/or philanthropic endeavors."
He resides in Los Angeles, California and still can't believe he gets to work across the country and around the globe.- Mark A. Baker was born on 22 August 1956 in Bellville, Ontario, Canada. He is an actor, known for The Last of the Mohicans (1992) and Time Machine: Boone and Crockett - The Hunter Heroes (2001). He has been married to Marlys Shilling since October 1978. They have three children.
- Additional Crew
Lacey Elick was born on 19 February 1988 in Bellville, Texas, USA. She is known for Meat America (2011) and Endurance (2002).- Hunter Goodwin was born on 10 October 1972 in Bellville, Texas, USA. He is a producer, known for SEC Ready (2014), FU: Fentanyl Unlimited (2023) and The NFL on NBC (1965).
- Sanders was an all-district running back, wide receiver and safety at Bellville (Texas) High School, where he was named Team MVP and Tri-County Offensive Player of the Year following his senior campaign. Emmanuel Sanders was born on March 17, 1987. Sanders finished his collegiate career as Southern Methodist University's all-time career leader in receptions (235), receiving yards (3,791), receiving touchdowns (34) and 100-yard receiving games (16) as he topped the 600-yard mark in all four seasons on campus. Named first-team All-Conference USA following his senior year when he set single-season school records with 98 catches for 1,339 yards (13.7 avg.) to go along with seven touchdowns.
- Additional Crew
Kelly O'Brien was born on 4 January 1987 in Bellville, Illinois, USA. Kelly is known for Unstoppable (2010).- Johnny Holland was born on 11 March 1965 in Bellville, Texas, USA.
- Producer
- Camera and Electrical Department
- Casting Director
Lorenda Starfelt, who died of cancer at the age of 56 in 2011, was a producer and political activist whose efforts in theatre and film add up to a fascinating body of work. Stage productions such as the acclaimed and internationally recognized 1997 LA presentation of Euripides' "The Bacchae" (nominated for three LA Weekly Theatre Awards), a 2003 staging of "The Trojan Women" (also by Euripides), Theatre of NOTE's critically acclaimed presentation of "The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis De Sade," and a controversial multi-media production of Anthony Burgess' "A Clockwork Orange" (nominated for three LA Weekly Theatre Awards and winner of one), are all testament to her intelligence, drive and sense of cultural necessity.
Lorenda Starfelt's film work is also noteworthy, with three feature-length documentaries, "SING*ularity," a film about the internationally recognized OperaWorks training program; "The Audacity of Democracy," which covered the PUMA movement's advocacy of Hillary Clinton during the 2008 Presidential Primary, and the posthumously-released meditation on the late sixties, "I Grew Up in Princeton". Dramatic feature films include a film adaptation of "The Bacchae," the award-winning oddball romantic comedy "The Watermelon," the indie feature dramas "Schooled" and "Shakespeare's Merchant," and "The Donut Shop," a multiple award-winning short she co-produced right before her death.- Christyna Whatman was born on July 17, 1990 in Bellville, Ohio, USA. In April of 2009, at 18 years old, she went to Forks, WA on vacation, where she ended up living for 4 months working an Alice Cullen impersonator. This is when she was asked to appear in Twilight In Forks: The Saga of the Real Town.
- Randy Harden was born on 29 August 1981 in Bellville, Illinois, USA. He is an actor, known for War Machine (2017), Cornered (2011) and 3 Times a Charm (2011).
- Director
- Writer
Shannon Christian was born on 7 February 1976 in Bellville, Illinois, USA. Shannon is a director and writer, known for Playing Clandestine (2004). Shannon has been married to Yogi Christian since 13 July 1996.