Biography

James A. Sims is an award-winning director focused on cinematic science fiction and action-adventure storytelling. His work blends grounded, emotionally driven narratives with elevated genre concepts, often exploring themes of fatherhood, identity, and redemption under pressure.

James has directed multiple sci-fi short films that have screened at national and international festivals, earning awards for Best Sci-Fi, Best Visual Effects, Best Comedy, and Audience Choice. His short films D.A.D. and What If Wendy have accumulated over 800,000 views online, including a world premiere through the sci-fi platform Dust / Alter.

With a background in visual effects and a director-first approach to storytelling, James specializes in building believable worlds where technology amplifies human conflict rather than replacing it. His projects are designed with short-to-feature and episodic expansion in mind, aligning with the tone and ambition of premium science-fiction film and television.

James is based in Los Angeles and is currently developing a slate of sci-fi projects for feature films and television.

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Before entering the film industry, James studied film at the University of Washington while competing as a student-athlete in football and track & field. He later played professional football in the NFL before transitioning into filmmaking full-time.

Following his athletic career, James moved to Los Angeles, working across production and visual effects while developing his voice as a writer-director. His unique background informs a disciplined, collaborative directing style and a deep interest in stories about resilience, leadership, and personal responsibility.

James is a husband and father of four, and his experiences as a parent continue to shape the emotional foundation of his work.

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