Experiencing Interruptions?

D.A.D.

A workaholic father comes home to discover his twin daughters have built a digital android doppelgänger that they lovingly call D.A.D.

  • James A Sims
    Director
    What If Wendy
  • James A Sims
    Writer
  • Danny Zangger
    Writer
  • Brian Hawkins
    Producer
  • James A Sims
    Producer
  • Kyu C. Lee
    Producer
  • Darien Sills-Evans
    Key Cast
    "James Benjamin"
    East New York, The Connors, Bob Hearts Abishola
  • Kristen Corona
    Key Cast
    "Angela Benjamin"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Sci-Fi, Comedy, Family
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    September 10, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    2,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Indie Short Fest
    Los Angeles, California
    United States
    January 6, 2023
    Best Sci-Fi Short
  • Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival
    Athens, Greece
    December 18, 2023
    Best VFX
  • Austin Revolution Film Festival
    Austin, Texas
    United States
    February 12, 2023
    Best Comedy Short Film
  • Austin Revolution Film Festival
    Austin, Texas
    United States
    February 12, 2023
    Best FX Short Film
  • HollyShorts Film Festival
    Los Angeles, California
    United States
    August 20, 2023
    Best Sci-Fi Film
  • HollyShorts Film Festival
    Los Angeles, California
    United States
    August 20, 2023
    Best VFX Short
  • Prescott Film Festival

    United States
    September 26, 2023
    Audience Choice for Best Narrative Short
Director Biography - James A Sims

James A. Sims is a filmmaker in Los Angeles who believes that compelling visuals are a key component in amplifying a great story. As a father of four children, James pursues stories that encourage and inspire fatherhood in the African-American community.

James studied film at the University of Washington as a student-athlete, competing in both football and track and field. After graduating he joined the New York Giants as a running back, then eventually moved to Los Angeles to begin his entertainment career working as a production assistant on “America’s Funniest Videos.”

James has directed various music videos and short films, supporting his appointment to the 2018 Sony Pictures Diverse Directors program. Most recently, he was a contributing animator on the NAACP Image Award and Peabody Award–nominated short film, “Cops And Robbers,” produced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Director Statement

After months of lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, I was eager to do another film project. Wanting to create something fresh and new we did the film on an extremely low budget (less than $2000). I completed over 150 visual effects shots on my off time from work, usually at night while the family slept.

Both myself and the lead Darien Sills-Evans are alumni of the Sony Pictures Diverse Director’s program. Darien’s schedule opened up perfectly between finishing a feature film and his latest role in the new CBS show “East New York.” We’re both fathers and wanted to produce a project that portrays a positive image of black fatherhood. I feel we achieved that with this film.

It's my hope that audiences find the film inspiring, funny and a nice reminder that when our lives get crazy with the have-to's in life, that we always keep our priorities in the right order.

Enjoy!

James A. Sims
Writer / Director