James A. Burkhalter is a multifaceted creative professional based in Baltimore, Maryland, with a strong presence in the world of filmmaking, screenwriting, and education. As a director, his impressive portfolio includes a feature-length documentary titled "There Will Be GLiTTER: A Glimpse of Queer Life @ Gettysburg College" and several captivating shorts, such as "Dreams Of My Father," "Kween For A Day," "Love, Ava," and "Your Inbox Is Full." His films have garnered recognition at prestigious festivals like the Baltimore International Black Film Festival, the Black Femme Supremacy Film Festival, and the LGBTQ Unbordered International Film Festival, among others.
In the summer of 2021, James took on the role of producer for the critically acclaimed comedic short film, "F^¢K 'EM R!GHT B@¢K," which was officially selected for the 2022 Sundance Film Festival and is now available to stream on Showtime and Paramount+. Additionally, his queer horror screenplay, "Last Call," secured 2nd Place at the Baltimore Film Office's 16th Annual Screenwriters' Competition, hosted by the Maryland Film Festival. James was awarded a $30,000 development grant through the Saul Zaentz Innovation Fund in the spring of 2023 to produce his second feature-length documentary, tentatively titled "Guns 4 Gays; Or, My First Time."
James is also working on a queer horror anthology film, provisionally titled "BMore Afraid," in collaboration with Baltimore drag performers Nikki Woodles and Kelsey Kadaver, with a planned release date in 2026. He holds a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in Documentary Film Studies and English from Gettysburg College, as well as a Master of Fine Arts degree in Filmmaking from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). Currently, James serves as the Programming Coordinator for the Maryland Film Festival and as a Graduate Professor in MICA's Filmmaking department.
