James Cleave is a London-based Writer-Director and Associate Member of Directors UK, whose work explores human connection through realistic, dialogue-driven drama, often with a sharp thread of humour running through the discomfort. His short films have collectively earned 21 awards, 30 nominations, and 31 Official Selections across national and international film festivals. His debut sci-fi drama Sometime Else, which screened at the BAFTA Cymru-qualifying Carmarthen Bay Film Festival, was described by UK Film Review as sitting "amongst any of Charlie Brooker's best and darkest [Black Mirror] episodes." His BIFA-Qualified comedy-drama MAFIA was praised by Film Carnage for its "clean edge" and "intimate and focused" directorial style. His latest comedy-drama SELF+TAPE is currently on its festival run following its premiere at BIFA-qualifying Unrestricted View Film Festival.
A third-culture kid born in the UK and raised in Limassol, Cyprus, James has over 15 years of industry experience ...