Experiencing Interruptions?

Eye for an i

After the tragic death of his little sister to violence, a young black pianist wrestles with guilt and the immediate pressure to retaliate.

  • James A Grisom
    Director
  • James A Grisom
    Writer
  • Letia Solomon
    Producer
  • LaDarius Torrey
    Producer
  • Allison A Waite
    Producer
  • Blessing Oluwole
    Key Cast
    "Jeremiah"
  • Shawn Foxx
    Key Cast
    "DeAndre"
  • Akin Coley
    Key Cast
    "Man Man"
  • William L Johnson
    Key Cast
    "Samuel"
  • Jasmine Shanise
    Key Cast
    "Evette"
  • Madison Randolph
    Key Cast
    "Mira"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    21 minutes 51 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 15, 2022
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - James A Grisom

Emerging filmmaker James Grisom is an LA based storyteller from Lynwood, California. He is a USC School of Cinematic Arts MFA graduate and George Lucas Scholar recipient, one of USC’s prestigious awards. He recently won the first place Gold Circle Award from the esteemed Caucus Foundation for his Film Independent Fiscally sponsored short, Eye for an i. He strives to share poetic, meditative, and heartfelt stories of humanity mainly through film and music.

His filmmaking journey began in undergrad where he received his B.A. in Religious Studies with an emphasis in Buddhism at UC Berkeley while playing football for the CAL Bears. He taught himself filmmaking during this time and landed his first big project on documentary Still I Rise. He was shortlisted at Cambridge University’s Water Sprite Film Festival for Filmmaker of the Future Award for his work on this documentary.

At USC, his ballet short film, Bobby, has gotten into multiple festivals including Black Harvest Film Festival and Filmmaker LA. Aside from directing, he also has a keen ear for story as a composer and sound designer. He sound designed Tribeca nominated Best Student Film, The Cypher and BAFTA shortlisted animated student film, Izzy Demons. He’s composed music for several documentaries, narrative shorts, music videos, and branded content.

His interest outside of filmmaking is a passion for video games, pondering about the universe, and playing the piano. He dreams to combine his love for stories and music to the interactive medium.

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Director Statement

Where I’m from, many of my friends didn’t expect to see 25. Unfortunately, for some of them, those expectations came true. I grew up in a space where violence and death were so common that it became normalized for me and many of my peers.

There is plenty trauma, but hardly any resources to cope with it in my community and those just like it throughout this nation. How do we respond when this trauma hits so close to home? When it happens to someone you know--someone you love, someone so young and innocent?

Eye for an i is a poetic, intimate, and authentic portrayal of a young black teen and his family navigating their trauma and grief. I explore this grief through Jeremiah's eyes. Through his piano. With this film, I pay homage to my community and share our humanity with others.