Biography

Joshua Marc Allen’s career is built on the foundation that storytelling requires as much discipline as it does inspiration. Bridging the gap between his service as a U.S. Army Korean linguist (honorably discharged in 2008) and his drive as an artist, Josh has spent over a decade immersing himself in every facet of the cinematic craft. As of late 2025, this dedication has been recognized with 57 international awards for his screenwriting-a milestone he views as both a profound honor and a motivation to continue exploring complex narratives.

Josh’s transition into the arts began at the Academy of Art University, where he specialized in acting. However, he often attributes his most valuable education to the time spent on the front lines of production. In 2013, a serendipitous invitation from his mentor to visit the set of The Surrogate changed his trajectory.

Embracing the mantra, "Come once, you’re a guest. Come twice; you work there," Josh set aside ego to learn the industry from the bottom up. He quickly progressed from production assistant to Key Set PA across five feature films, including Dirty Teacher and The Cheating Pact. These early years were instrumental in building a holistic understanding of how various departments collaborate to bring a vision to life.

Leveraging the network and practical knowledge gained on professional sets, Josh stepped into the director’s chair in late 2013 with his first short, 5 Hours Later. Over the next several years, he balanced the demands of full-time employment with his passion for independent cinema, directing four more shorts before completing his first independent feature, Fixer (2015).

Following a period of reflection and growth, Josh returned to writing with renewed vigor. By 2018, he had completed six new feature scripts, eventually producing and directing the independent feature Escape (2018). These projects reinforced the resilience required to navigate the high-stakes world of independent filmmaking.

During the 2020 industry shutdown, Josh relocated to Atlanta and co-founded The Atlantis Awards, an international organization dedicated to unearthing "hidden gems" in independent and student cinema.

As of late 2025, Josh serves as the Executive Director, and he is proud to see the awards entering their tenth season in just five years of operation. For him, the rapid global expansion of the Atlantis Awards serves as a testament to the immense talent of the filmmakers the organization supports.

As of late 2025, Josh is traveling across Europe to expand the international reach of The Atlantis Awards, ensuring that independent storytellers from all walks of life have a stage on which to be celebrated. While he remains deeply honored by the 57 international accolades his scripts have received, he continues to seek out new visual mediums for his work.

Under his direct creative watch, Josh is overseeing the adaptation of his scripts into comic books. This venture allows him to explore his narratives through a different visual lens, ensuring these stories reach audiences in fresh and engaging ways as of 2025 and beyond.
- IMDb mini biography by: Joshua Marc Allen

Graduated from the Academy of Art University of San Francisco, BFA.