Danathon James

Danathon James is a writer–director who crafts fantastical, whimsical stories grounded in deeply human emotion.

Located in the Bay Area, he gained hands-on experience working on film sets as a Background Artist, Stand-In, PA, and AD developing a practical understanding of on-set workflow before returning to school to focus on directing.

His recent work includes Where the Wild Winds Blow, a fantasy short about two pirates navigating clashing ideals over the fate of their godchild and a baby sea serpent, which has received a Best Production Design award; The Winston Chronicles, following an everyman herbologist drawn into a resistance within an Orwellian world; and SwitchCraft, the story of two witch sisters who swap bodies after a spell goes wrong.

Danathon’s work embraces a formalist approach to wonder, using handmade worlds and intentional visual design to support character, performance, and story.