JAMES FITZGERALD.
James is a multi-award-winning director and writer from Ireland with a flair for dark drama and comedy.
In 2014, James graduated from the National Film School of Ireland with a major in drama directing and a minor in cinematography. Across his three short films — Skunky Dog, The Invisible Boy, and his Screen Ireland-backed short Bad Boy Buck — he has screened at prestigious film festivals around the world, earning multiple accolades, including three Royal Television Society awards at the BFI and two IFTA nominations (Irish Film and Television Awards).
At the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, James was selected for Future Frames — in association with Sundance and Variety Magazine — as one of the Ten New European Filmmakers to Watch. In 2021, his short film The Invisible Boy was long-listed for an Oscar after winning the 2020 Galway Film Festival.
James currently has two feature projects in development with acclaimed producers Rory Gilmartin (Calm with Horses, Frank of Ireland) and Lee Magiday (The Favourite, The Lobster)
A self-represented commercials director based in Dublin, James has built a large network of production companies and collaborators. He also works internationally, directing commercials for agencies such as Saatchi & Saatchi, Ogilvy, JWT, and Publicis, and has helmed music videos for major record labels including Sony, Universal, Warner Bros., and Atlantic Records.
He also loves dinosaurs.
AWARDS.
(Nominated) BERLIN COMMERCIAL AWARDS - BEST DIRECTION 2022
(Nominated) ICAD AWARDS best Direction craft on a commercial 2022
(Nominated) ICAD AWARDS best advertising film over 60 seconds 2022
(WINNER) 1.4 SILVER AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN FILM MAKING 2021
(Shortlist) Kinsale Shark Awards Best short film
(WINNER) BEST SHORT FILM STILL VOICES FILM FESTIVAL 2021
(Nominated) Best live action shot IFTA, 2021
CANNES YOUNG DIRECTORS AWARD SHORTLIST, 2021
(winner) Audience award, Minimalen film festival 2021
(Winner)Cinematic achievement award Thess International Film Festival 2020
(Winner) Best Short film Indie Cork film festival 2020
(Winner) Tiernan McBride Best short fiction (Oscar long-list) Galway film festival 2020
(nominated) Bingham Ray new talent award, Galway film festival 2020
(Winner) Runner up prize Waterford film festival 2020
(Winner) Best Director, Kinsale sharks 2018
(Winner) Best Music video, Kinsale sharks 2018
(Winner) Best Music video, Shiny awards 2018
(Winner) Best Spec commercial, (EDA) Emerging Directors Award, Ireland 2018
(Winner) Runner up, music video, (EDA) Emerging Directors Award, Ireland 2017
(Winner) Best Director, Kinsale sharks 2017
(Winner) Best Music video, Kinsale sharks 2017
(Winner) Best Drama, Royal television awards UK BFI 2015
(Winner) Best Cinematography, Royal television awards UK BFI 2015
(nomination) Best Short, IFTA 2015
(nomination) Best Short Film Script, Writer’s guild of Ireland awards 2014
(Winner) Best Short Drama, Royal Television Awards of Ireland, RTE 2014
(Winner) Best Short, Indie Cork Film Festival 2014
Special Mention, (EDA) Emerging Directors Award, Ireland 2016