James Cunningham
Directing
Biography
A former video store attendant in the 1990s, James Cunningham studied filmmaking at QPIX in Brisbane while working on film productions such as award-winning Australian film 'Gettin' Square' (2003), television reality series such as 'Big Brother Australia' and 'I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Outta Here' (UK), as well as working with local television commercial production companies such as The Roly Poly Picture Company, and filmmakers including Neil Johnson. James earned 'Best Director' at the Chicago Cinema Awards in 2022 for his short film 'The Assignment'. James served as Editor of Australian Cinematographer Magazine for eight years, and earned the Ron Windon ACS Award from the Australian Cinematographers Society (ACS) in 2023. James has worked as a film journalist, movie critic and reviewer, script-doctor and film festival judge. James work 'That's Racist' was shortlisted for the Midsumma Queer Playwriting Award in 2021. James continues to work part-time producing his own film and theatre projects around Australia. His works are not-for-profit and explore dark themes, confronting concepts of masculinity, identity and self-expression.
Known For
Examining the underlying tensions between mateship and masculinity in Australian sport in a portrayal of athletes rife with foul language, stigma, secrets, violence and nudity.
The Sheds
James Cunningham's short film MONTSERRAT offers a poignant and introspective portrait of the Australian immigrant experience, encapsulated through the daily life of a solitary tradesman. Featuring a delicate performance by actor and model Wilson Bazurto, the film reveals the quiet existence of Montserrat, a young man whose life is marked by routine and loneliness. Wearing his ubiquitous yellow or orange hi-vis tradesman's uniforms like a shell of his identity, Montserrat's days blend into one another as he navigates mundane tasks in his mostly empty house. The film's observational cinematography captures a rare glimpse into the life of a man overlooked by society.
Montserrat
When a man (Eric Kay) is stranded alone on a tropical island, he must battle the forces of nature as well as confronting his own dark human instincts in the sun-drenched blood-soaked thriller 'Savage Sands'.
Savage Sands
A lonely Muay Thai instructor (Mark Bale) seeks self-confidence through an online life-coaching app, gradually surrendering control to an unseen mentor.
Life Coach
Two brothers embark on a surfing trip together, attempting to bury past grievances in the process. As their surfing adventure unravels, so do the delicate and fragile bonds of brotherhood.
Beneath the Waves
A former Australian soldier suffers from depression.
Dane
Harrison (David Kara) and Leo (Francis Ryan) are two mates studying together at university in Melbourne, Australia, who receive a unique assignment as part of their studies in criminal psychology... to explain how, hypothetically, they might commit a perfect murder. From writer/director James Cunningham, short film The Assignment is a slick thriller delivering a sexy modern twist on the slasher genre with heavy hints of Hitchcock, lashings of Carpenter and a pinch of Dexter... all on rooftop at sunset.