James Kicklighter(I)

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 Roldos 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.