John is a highly accomplished and gifted individual who has left a profound mark on the film industry, with his remarkable work garnering widespread recognition and acclaim. In 2020, he achieved a notable milestone when he was selected as a Semi-Finalist for his feature screenplay SHE CAME KNOCKING in the esteemed Academy Nicholl Fellowship, a coveted award that honors the most exceptional and outstanding writing talent in the industry.
John's inaugural feature film, titled JACK BROOKS: MONSTER SLAYER, was a horror-comedy that garnered widespread critical acclaim, receiving praise from esteemed critics and film enthusiasts alike.
His screenplay for the film was nominated for a prestigious Fangoria Chainsaw Award, a testament to his exceptional writing skills and creative vision.
The film made its world premiere at the renowned Sitges International Film Festival, where it went on to win the coveted Best Midnight Film award, a significant achievement in the world of genre cinema.
In addition to its Sitges debut, JACK BROOKS: MONSTER SLAYER also screened at the esteemed Fantasia festival, further solidifying its reputation as a standout horror-comedy.
Notably, the film was picked up by Anchor Bay at the Slamdance festival, a significant milestone in its distribution and release.
John embarked upon a significant milestone in his professional journey in the year 2012, when he was accepted into the prestigious Norman Jewison's Canadian Film Centre Writer's Lab, a renowned institution that fosters the creative talents of aspiring writers in the film industry.
During his tenure at the centre, John devoted his time and energy to crafting a compelling short film, aptly titled COLD FEET, which would go on to become a notable achievement in his burgeoning career.
The short film, COLD FEET, premiered at various prominent film festivals, including the esteemed Fantasia festival, where it garnered widespread critical acclaim and attention.
Subsequently, the film's success was further solidified when it was acquired by AMC-IFC Networks, a prominent television network that has a reputation for showcasing innovative and thought-provoking programming.
Through this experience, John demonstrated his remarkable talent and dedication to his craft, paving the way for future projects and opportunities that would continue to shape his artistic trajectory.
John's directorial debut was the critically acclaimed feature film THE SUBLET, a gripping psychological horror movie that made its world premiere at the prestigious Whistler Film Festival. This cinematic masterpiece went on to claim two prestigious awards at the Blood in the Snow Film Festival in Toronto, including the coveted Best Actress and Best Cinematography accolades. Not content to rest on his laurels, John next turned his attention to the intense thriller short SHE CAME KNOCKING, which would go on to garner widespread recognition and accolades at numerous esteemed film festivals. At the Canadian Film Festival in Toronto, SHE CAME KNOCKING took home the top prize for Best Short, while also collecting a slew of other awards, including Best Short and Best Actress from the NSI Online Film Festival, a Platinum Remi at WorldFest-Houston, and an Audience Choice Award at the FilmGate NOLA Film Festival in his hometown of Miami, solidifying his reputation as a talented and innovative filmmaker.
John's professional journey prior to his successful writing career was marked by his impressive tenure as a cinematographer, where he earned widespread recognition for his outstanding work on the feature film SK8 LIFE, a project that garnered him the prestigious Borsos prize for Best Cinematographer at the esteemed Whistler Film Festival.
