My films focus on intimate human stories—relationships, moral choices, suspense, and the moments when ordinary lives change forever. Whether directing an independent feature or a short film, I look for emotional truth first, allowing performance and story to drive the cinematic experience.
FILM DIRECTING
2025 - COME WALK WITH ME - ATTIC STUDIOS
SHORT - DIRECTOR/WRITER/PRODUCER
CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT - Independent Shorts Awards
NOMINEE - Peachtree Village International Film Festival
OFFICIAL Selection - Culver City Film Festival
OFFICIAL Selection - International Celebration of Cinema
2024 - WHY ARE WE HERE? - CLEVER GIRL PRODUCTIONS
SHORT - DIRECTOR (With Lainie Smith)
OFFICIAL Selection 2025 - Liberty Theatre Film Festival
2023 - LOVE POTION - ATTIC STUDIOS
SHORT - DIRECTOR/WRITER/PRODUCER
WINNER - 2023 Best Suspense/Thriller - Southern Shorts Awards
OFFICIAL Selection 2023 - Golden Bridge Istanbul Film Festival
OFFICIAL Selection 2023 - Cobb County International Film Festival
OFFICIAL Selection 2023 - Austin Lift-Off Festival
OFFICIAL Selection 2023 - Tokyo Lift-Off Festival
2022 - ALTERNATE ENDINGS - SKYPILOT THEATRE
FEATURE FILM - CO-DIRECTOR
2021 - A COST OF FREEDOM - ATTIC STUDIOS RE-RELEASE
SHORT - DIRECTOR/WRITER/EXEC. PRODUCER
WINNER - 2022 Best International Short Film - Ellora International Film Festival WINNER - 2021 Best Dramatic Short - Reale Film Festival Milan
FINALIST - 2022 Ethos Film Awards
Official Selection 5 Festivals World Wide
2021 - MADLY - SCAD/LEADING LADY PROD.
FEATURE FILM - CO-DIRECTOR/PRODUCER
STREAMING ON AMAZON
Official Selection in 10 Film Festivals
2020 - DIVORCE DURING PANDEMIC - ATTIC STUDIOS
SHORT - DIRECTOR/WRITER/EXEC. PRODUCER
OFFICIAL ENTRY into 13 Festivals World Wide
FINALIST - 2021 Houston/Worldwide International Film Festival
WINNER of MERIT – Best Short Competition Festival
WINNER – BEST WRITING – Tope Indie Shorts Awards
SEMI-FINALIST - Online Short Festival
2018 - FANCY MEETING YOU HERE - Laura Walker, Producer
DIRECTOR
WINNER – 2019 Best Independent Short Film – IFS Festival Los Angeles
OFFICIAL Selection – Oasis Short Film Festival 2019
2015 -2018 Directed/Produced 9 MFA Student Thesis Film –
NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY – Los Angeles Campus
2006 - A COST OF FREEDOM - ATTIC STUDIOS
SHORT - DIRECTOR/WRITER/EXEC. PRODUCER
2003- OWLMAN – ATTIC STUDIOS
DIRECTOR/WRITER/PRODUCER
1993- HBO's TALES FROM THE CRYPT - 10 EPISODES - OBERSERVING DIRECTOR
1991- LOVE'S LABOR'S LOST PSA - CATV CHANNEL 10 - DIRECTOR/WRITER
Film crew using a clapperboard while a masked man prepares for a scene.
FILM LINKS
COME WALK WITH ME
"Come Walk With Me is a wonderful short romance film. The acting was terrific and the story made you really hope that Michael will be able to win Ellie's heart." BVSReviews
Certificate of Achievement - Independent Short Awards
Nominee Peachtree Village International Film Festival
Official Selection Culver City Film Festival
Official Selection - International Celebration of Cinema
REVIEW OF COME WALK WITH ME
OCT. 2025 - BVSREVIEWS.COM
Come Walk With Me is a wonderful short romance film. The acting was terrific and the story made you really hope that Michael will be able to win Ellie's heart.
In the film, Come Walk With Me, Ellen is set to marry Chase. She is at the church with her grandparents. They are waiting for the wedding planner to show up to go over some things.
In the meantime, there is a young man who is driving his car. This young man is Michael, who has known Ellen since they were little kids.
Michael shows up at the church. Ellen's grandmother, Margaret, tries to get him to leave. But he convinces Ellen, who he calls Ellie, to take a walk with him. Hence the title of the film.
Does the film have a storybook ending? Or will Michael indeed go back to Chicago having his heart and soul crushed? I won't ruin the ending for you.
Come Walk With Me was directed by James Carey. He has directed several films, including Love Potion, Madly and Divorce During Pandemic.
There is a great blues song, Little Girl by Tom Shaka, in the film that goes along with Michael driving.
Reviewed by Bruce Von Stiers
WHY ARE WE HERE
Official Selection - Austin Lift-Off Festival
10 Minute Comedy Short
Written by Lainie Smith
Co-Directed by James Carey & Lainie Smith
LOVE POTION
Winner BEST SUSPENSE/THRILLER Southern Shorts Festival
Official Selection - Austin Lift-Off Festival
Official Selection Tokyo Lift Off Festival
Official Selection Cobb International Film Festival
You Can View the Full Film at
DIVORCE DURING PANDEMIC
Award winning Movie - Selected Offical Selection in Over 20 Festivals
FINALIST – Houston/Worldfest International Film Festival
WINNER of MERIT – Best Short Competition Festival
WINNER – BEST WRITING – Tope Indie Shorts Awards
SEMI-FINALIST - Online Short Festival
You Can View the Full Film at
REVIEW OF DIVORCE DURING PANDEMIC
JAN 31, 2021 - UTAH FILM FESTIVAL
No matter what situation the world is in, divorce is always a painful experience for any couple. Divorce During Pandemic is about a couple who exchanges documents for their divorce while the pandemic is still happening. The interaction is difficult as there are rules to follow to make sure that no one will get infected by the virus. But the pain of separating ways is more felt from the scenes of the film. There is a moment of heartbreak in the film up to the end. The acting is simply so effective and good. Music, editing and the photo effects are added elements that make the film more dramatic. The film is good and will give you a sigh towards the end.
Review by Albert Fronda
Utah Film Festival Screener
A COST OF FREEDOM
2022 FINALIST - ETHOS Film Awards
2022 WINNER – BEST SHORT FILM – Ellora International Film
2022 WINNER – BEST FILM – Reale Milano International Film Festival 2021 FINALIST – Roma Prisma International Film Festival 2021
Film Production Gallery
My new book, WHAT COMES IN THE DARK is now out and on AMAZON. You can get it free from Jan 26 to Jan 30. So pick it up. Thanks!
Please read the GREAT NEW REVIEW for COME WALK WITH ME on the REVIEW page under the Directing Tab above.