James Alton Films

Director · Director of Photography

James Alton directs from attention.

Narrative, documentary, commercial and music-driven work shaped around people, place, light and the realities of the shooting day.

Watch the 2025 showreel
Selected work →

Selected work

Director-led films with a human pulse.

James brings a photographer’s eye, performance attention and a practical understanding of production to work that still starts with the person in the frame.

A frame from the James Alton Films 2025 showreel. Director · DP · 2025 Play the latest showreel

Director / DP routes

These pages keep James Alton Films focused on director, director-of-photography and cinematographer work. Production services, gear and logistics stay in the KFS lane.

Director of Photography Director of Photography Primary JAF hiring page for director-of-photography work in Kelowna and the Okanagan. Cinematographer Cinematographer Alternate local search page for cinematographer intent, supporting the DP page without becoming generic video production. Commercial Cinematographer Commercial Cinematographer BC commercial-cinematographer page for agency and brand searches while keeping KFS as the production-services lane. Documentary Filmmaker Documentary Filmmaker Documentary filmmaker page for Kelowna searches, tied to people-first JAF project proof. Music Video Director Music Video Director Music-video director page for Kelowna searches, anchored in artist and performance project proof. Narrative Film Director Narrative Film Director Longer-term JAF authority page for narrative director searches across BC. Archive Selected Work Browse the JAF project archive by exact role, category and selected proof. Bio About James Read the background behind James's directing, cinematography and production eye. Inquiry Contact James Send a project note when the work needs James's director or DP attention.

Current slate

Current work.

A transparent look at selected work being developed, filmed, finished or held for release. Public release details will be added when each project is ready.

Reality television / documentary series

Vintage Rebel

In development

A co-development with Bob Blumer and Norm Coyne / Barker Street Cinema around Jason Parkes and the Okanagan wine and hospitality world. James is supporting as DP / Producer; Bob Blumer is director, and Corus Entertainment interest should be treated as interest only until a commitment exists.

Narrative film

Moonrise, Sunset

In development

An upcoming dramatic project in the Mabelville family of behind-closed-doors stories, being developed with cinematographer Harrison Mendel.

Dance films

The Village Dance Academy: 2026 Films

In the can

C is for Ciara, Sockeye 2026 and Wild Wild West are in the can. Public releases are planned for July 2026.

Portrait of film director and director of photography James Alton.

About James

A director with a photographer’s eye and a builder’s respect for the day.

James Alton is a Canadian director and director of photography whose films are built from attention to people, place, performance and light.

His background moves through photography, technology, directing, cinematography and producing. That range gives the work a practical spine without pushing the machinery in front of the image.

Based in Kelowna, British Columbia, James works locally and travels for narrative, documentary, broadcast, commercial and music projects.

Read the full about page

Selected recognition

Work that has travelled.

Because She’s Adopted

Best Canadian Documentary

Vancouver International Movie Awards · 2024

Mabel

Best Director · Best Actor

Toronto & Calgary Independent Film Festivals

Colorado

Best Music Video · Best Song

Okanagan Screen Awards · 2026

Open Road

Special Mention · Finalist

Thilsri International Film Festival · California Music Video and Film Awards

The Letter

Official Selection

Okanagan Screen Awards · 2026

Sockeye

Official Selection

Okanagan Screen Awards · 2024

Recognition is listed with each project and expanded on the About page. Explore recognition Press and screenings

Need the full production?

When the project needs a full production company, James routes that work through KFS.

Kelowna Film Studios is the infrastructure lane for producing, service production, production management, crews and locations in British Columbia.

Visit Kelowna Film Studios