Company
Zine Film Collective
    James Fink-Jensen is a writer-director based in Aotearoa New Zealand, working across both short and feature-length formats. His work explores character, connection, and the quiet tensions that lie beneath everyday life - often through the lenses of drama, mystery, thriller, and comedy.
    His debut feature, SMOKY, is an independent film developed with Zine Film. It follows the chaotic fallout within Dawn’s dysfunctional family after her famed uncle, Smoky the Clown, mysteriously disappears just days before a life-saving operation. It is his debut film as writer-director.
    His earlier short STRANGERS won the New Zealand Emerging Filmmaking Talent award at Vision Feast 2023, while THE BALLOON screened internationally and was nominated at festivals across Aotearoa, Australia, Europe, South America, and Asia.
    Beyond directing, James works at Colenso BBDO as their video creator. He also produced and edited the World War I short FACES, directed by his brother Thomas. He is also a member of the Directors and Editors Guild of Aotearoa New Zealand and currently serves on the 2025 programming team for Show Me Shorts Film Festival.
    • Director (6 Credits)
      Strangers2023
      Short
      The Balloon2023
      Short
      Influencer2021
      Documentary, Short
      Mr India2020
      Documentary, Short
      Rewind Fields - Shield & Crown2020
      Music Video
      Street Games2017
      Short, Student
    • Writer (4 Credits)
      The Artist Lives
      Screenplay
      Strangers2023
      Short
      The Balloon2023
      Short
      Street Games2017
      Short, Student
    • Producer (3 Credits)
      Faces2024
      Short
      Mr India2020
      Documentary, Short
      Street Games2017
      Short, Student
    • Editor (1 Credit)
      Faces2024
      Short
    Official Selection
    The Balloon
    Tuzla Film Festival
    Tuzla
    2024
    In Consideration for Best International Short Film
    The Balloon
    Brisbane International Film Festival
    Brisbane, QLD
    2024
    4 Nominations for Best Short Film, Best Directing, Best Actor - Evelyn Towersey, Best Cinematography
    The Balloon
    NZ Web Fest
    Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau
    2024
    Official Selection
    The Balloon
    Misty Flicks Film Festival
    Hamilton, Waikato
    2024
    Finalist for Best Fiction Film
    The Balloon
    Catchlight Film Festival by Sony
    Sydney/Gadigal, New South Wales
    2024
    Nominated for Best International Short Film
    The Balloon
    Young Australian Film Festival
    Melbourne/Naarm, Victoria
    2024
    Official Selection
    The Balloon
    Sunrise Film Festival | Lowestoft
    Lowestoft
    2024
    Official Selection
    The Balloon
    International Short Film Festival Detmold
    Detmold
    2024
    5x Award Nominations (including Best Short Film)
    The Balloon
    Rush Youth Film Festival
    Niagara, Ontario
    2024
    Official Selection
    Strangers
    Flatland Film Festival
    Lubbock, Texas
    2023
    Official Selection
    Strangers
    NZ Web Fest
    Auckland
    2023
    Best Documentary Short
    Influencer
    Changing Face International Film Festival
    Sydney
    2021
    Best Documentary Short
    Influencer
    American Golden Picture International Film Festival
    Jacksonville, Florida
    2021
    Best Documentary Short Film
    Influencer
    Indo French International Film Festival
    Pondicherry
    2021
    Best 5:01 to 20:00 min Short
    Influencer
    Couch Film Festival
    Toronto, Ontario
    2021
    Best Documentary Short
    Influencer
    Crown Wood International Film Festival
    Kolkata, West Bengal
    2021
    Best Documentary Short
    Influencer
    Accord Cine Fest
    2021
    Best Short Documentary
    Influencer
    Art Stream
    Amsterdam
    2021
    Official Selection
    Mr India
    Aasha International Film Festival
    Maharashtra
    2020
    Semi-Finalist
    Mr India
    Dumbo Film Festival
    New York
    2020
    Semi-Finalist
    Mr India
    MLC Awards
    Green Bay, Wisconsin
    2020
    Official Selection
    Mr India
    Little Wing Film Festival
    London
    2020
    Official Selection
    Mr India
    Red Wood Film Festival
    2020
    Official Selection
    Mr India
    Jersey Shore Film Festival
    New Jersey
    2020
    Best Student Film
    Street Games
    Mountain Film Festival
    2018
    Best Student Film
    Street Games
    International Independent Film Awards
    Encino, California
    2017
    Emerging Filmmaking Talent
    Strangers
    The Vision Feast Film Festival
    Auckland
    Official Selection
    Mr India
    New Indie Film Festival of London
    London
    Best Documentary Film
    Mr India
    Tagore International Film Festival
    Shantiniketan, Bolpur
    College
    University of Auckland
    Screen Production
    20162019
    Birth Date
    December 13, 1997
    Birth City
    Auckland
    Current City
    Auckland
    Gender
    Male
    Eye Color
    Blue
    Company
    Zine Film Collective
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