Hi, I’m Anthony J. James — an actor, filmmaker, and founder of East Hollywood Pictures. I tell stories that explore the spaces between love and loss, humanity and technology, nature and control. Raised in a large, blended family across the American South, I’ve always been drawn to stories that ask, “What would you sacrifice to hold on to what matters?”

My debut feature, The Living Tree, is a psychological sci-fi romance set in an off-grid treehouse deep in the Costa Rican jungle. The film examines what happens when a couple seeking peace is tested by an unseen intelligence intent on breaking them apart. It’s a love story wrapped in tension — born from my passion for suspenseful, character-driven narratives and the belief that even in the darkest places, hope takes root.

Before filmmaking, I trained as an actor in San Francisco, New York, and Paris, working across genres — from horror and soap operas to commercial and faith-based work. I eventually founded East Hollywood Pictures as a home for bold, original storytelling that blends emotional depth with cinematic ambition.

I’m currently developing Take Away Island, the sequel to The Living Tree, and growing a community of filmmakers, artists, and fans who believe in story-first filmmaking. Whether you’re a fellow creative, a festival programmer, or someone simply chasing something real — I invite you to be part of the journey.

Let’s make stories that last.