James Sweeney (filmmaker)
James Sweeney | |
|---|---|
Sweeney in 2025 | |
| Born | 1990 (age 34–35)[1] |
| Education | Chapman University |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 2019–present |
James Sweeney (born 1990) is an American filmmaker and actor. He has written, produced, directed and starred in the comedy-dramas Straight Up (2019) and Twinless (2025).
Life and career
Sweeney grew up in Alaska.[2] He is gay[3][4] and Asian American.[5]
In 2019, Sweeney directed, wrote, and starred in Straight Up, which had its world premiere at Outfest.[6] The film was released in February 2020 by Strand Releasing.[7][8] Prior to, Sweeney made a proof of concept short film based upon the script Normal Doors for 20th Digital Studio.[9] Sweeney earned a nomination for Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay.[10][11]
Sweeney's film Twinless, which he directed and wrote, premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.[12][13] He also starred in the film. Reviewing the film for Variety, Peter Debruge wrote, "On just his second film, the gifted young helmer [Sweeney] demonstrates a sophisticated sense of framing, pace and exquisitely uncomfortable dramatic tension".[14] The film won the Audience Award Dramatic at Sundance.[15]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Straight Up | Todd | Also director, writer, and producer |
| 2025 | Twinless | Dennis | Also director, writer, and producer |
References
- ^ "James Sweeney". Issue Magazine. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
- ^ Ragga, Pippa (June 25, 2020). "'Straight Up' Is James Sweeney's Powerful Feature Film Debut". Distractify. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
- ^ Macaulay, Scott (February 28, 2020). ""The Concept Stemmed from Loneliness…": Writer, Director and Star James Sweeney on his Romantic Comedy, Straight Up". Filmmaker. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
- ^ Reynolds, Daniel (March 1, 2020). "The Gay Introvert Takes Center Stage in James Sweeney's Straight Up". The Advocate. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
- ^ Dikkers, Jan-Willem. "James Sweeney by Issue Magazine". Issue. Archived from the original on August 15, 2020.
- ^ "Straight Up". Outfest. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
- ^ Day-Ramos, Dino (August 6, 2019). "Strand Releasing Acquires James Sweeney Comedy 'Straight Up'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
- ^ "Straight Up". Strand Releasing. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
- ^ Small, Courtney (August 7, 2015). "Shorts Spotlight: Normal Doors". Cinema Axis. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
- ^ Moser, Joey (March 29, 2021). "Indie Spirit Nominee James Sweeney On Creating a Unique Romantic Comedy with 'Straight Up'". Awards Daily. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
- ^ "2021 Film Independent Spirit Award Nominations Announced!". Film Independent. January 26, 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 15, 2024). "Dylan O'Brien Sets 'Twinless' With James Sweeney Directing & Starring; Republic Pictures Takes Global On Three Point Capital & David Permut Production". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony; Patten, Dominic (December 11, 2024). "Sundance 2025: JLo, Sly Stone, Putin, Ayo Edebiri, André Holland, & Ex-NZ PM Jacinda Ardern Films Among Park City Festival Offerings". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
- ^ Debruge, Peter (January 24, 2025). "'Twinless' Review: Two Guys Mourning the Loss of a Twin Connect in an Ingeniously Squirmy and Borderline Inappropriate 'Bromance'". Variety. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 31, 2025). "'Atropia' Takes U.S. Grand Jury Prize Dramatic At Sundance Film Festival: Full Winners List". Deadline. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
External links
- Media related to James Sweeney (filmmaker) at Wikimedia Commons
- James Sweeney at IMDb