James Kicklighter(I)
- Director
- Editor
- Producer
James Kicklighter is a Los Angeles film director, producer, and screenwriter whose work spans documentary, narrative, and commercial formats.
Born and raised in Bellville, Georgia, Kicklighter graduated from Georgia Southern University with a degree in Public Relations from the Department of Communication Arts, where he now serves on the Advisory Board and was selected for the inaugural 40 Under 40 Alumni list. Kicklighter's body of work draws repeatedly on themes of identity, loss, and the American South. He has spoken at festivals, universities, and industry events on documentary craft, narrative structure, directing real subjects, and the intersection of film, brand, and audience trust. He has taught filmmaking courses through Stage32.
His documentary work has reached audiences through major streaming platforms. The Sound of Identity (2020), premiering on STARZ and now on Prime Video, was the 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.
The American Question (2024) debuted at number one on Apple TV's documentary chart, which delves into the heart of a divided America, exploring the historical and contemporary factors that have eroded our trust in our neighbors, communities, institutions, and government. The film takes viewers on a journey from historical empires to pivotal moments in modern America, through an independent team's eight-year mission to discover the forces that shaped our now divided society.
Sharing personal stories from diverse Americans in swing state communities in Pennsylvania and Michigan, and analysis from leading political scientists and historians, the film uncovers how economic shifts like globalization and the atrophy of local communities have fragmented the national identity.
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), and narrated by political analyst, Guy Tal Seemann, The American Question seeks to answer the pressing question: can America rediscover its unifying values and restore trust among its people?
Kicklighter directed The American Question (2024) 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").
Both films exemplify Kicklighter's approach of long-form access and observational filmmaking, building trust with subjects over months before filming begins.
Kicklighter is developing and executive producing a limited documentary series for Lionsgate Television. He earned the p.g.a. designation for The American Question (2024) through the Producers Guild of America and is a member of the Television Academy Directors Branch and the Academy's LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group, serving as a committee member.
In parallel with his documentary practice, Kicklighter directs narrative films, commercial work, branded content, and music videos. His commercial approach treats every brief as a research problem before treating it as an execution problem, applying documentary craft to brand storytelling.
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.
Kicklighter resides in Los Angeles, California and is represented by United Talent Agency for filmmaking, speaking and consulting work.
Born and raised in Bellville, Georgia, Kicklighter graduated from Georgia Southern University with a degree in Public Relations from the Department of Communication Arts, where he now serves on the Advisory Board and was selected for the inaugural 40 Under 40 Alumni list. Kicklighter's body of work draws repeatedly on themes of identity, loss, and the American South. He has spoken at festivals, universities, and industry events on documentary craft, narrative structure, directing real subjects, and the intersection of film, brand, and audience trust. He has taught filmmaking courses through Stage32.
His documentary work has reached audiences through major streaming platforms. The Sound of Identity (2020), premiering on STARZ and now on Prime Video, was the 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.
The American Question (2024) debuted at number one on Apple TV's documentary chart, which delves into the heart of a divided America, exploring the historical and contemporary factors that have eroded our trust in our neighbors, communities, institutions, and government. The film takes viewers on a journey from historical empires to pivotal moments in modern America, through an independent team's eight-year mission to discover the forces that shaped our now divided society.
Sharing personal stories from diverse Americans in swing state communities in Pennsylvania and Michigan, and analysis from leading political scientists and historians, the film uncovers how economic shifts like globalization and the atrophy of local communities have fragmented the national identity.
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), and narrated by political analyst, Guy Tal Seemann, The American Question seeks to answer the pressing question: can America rediscover its unifying values and restore trust among its people?
Kicklighter directed The American Question (2024) 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").
Both films exemplify Kicklighter's approach of long-form access and observational filmmaking, building trust with subjects over months before filming begins.
Kicklighter is developing and executive producing a limited documentary series for Lionsgate Television. He earned the p.g.a. designation for The American Question (2024) through the Producers Guild of America and is a member of the Television Academy Directors Branch and the Academy's LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group, serving as a committee member.
In parallel with his documentary practice, Kicklighter directs narrative films, commercial work, branded content, and music videos. His commercial approach treats every brief as a research problem before treating it as an execution problem, applying documentary craft to brand storytelling.
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.
Kicklighter resides in Los Angeles, California and is represented by United Talent Agency for filmmaking, speaking and consulting work.
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