About T.J. Penton

T.J. Penton is an acclaimed filmmaker & director of photography.

Before becoming a writer, director, and a camera operator, he began his artistic vision producing electronic music. While writing & producing music for over two decades, he then looked for a new artistic challenge and therefore derived a curiosity for filmmaking. He then went on to study cinematography and film production. Shortly after, he formed his production company Shokunin 21 Films. Within the last three years he has gone on to write, produce, dop, and direct several award winning short-films, Disclosure, Loneheart, and Something Evil Becomes Us. And is now collaborating with various producers producing new upcoming narrative projects.

Currently, his latest narrative suspense drama, Something Evil Becomes Us was recently selected to be shown at the prestigious Short Film Corner at the Cannes Film Festival in France. While marketing his latest works, he is also in pre & post production for various narrative short-films, commercial adds, & nature environmental documentaries.

SOMETHING EVIL BECOMES US

2019 (Writer/Director/Director of Photography)

Synopsis: Alex Levi is a woman who has suffered through many stages of life. After losing generations of family in the holocaust, several years later she tragically becomes a widow. This loss & grief has caused her to question life. When suddenly she becomes victim to racist vandalism against her Jewish heritage. Fed up with it all, she decides to take matters into her own hands. Things then quickly become critical for everyone involved.

Starring: April Lang & Sean Dillingham
Co-Starring: T.J. Tyler
Original Score: Ralf Hildenbeutel

https://www.facebook.com/somethingevilbecomesus/

Accolades:

Official Selection - 2020 edition of the Short Film Corner with Cannes Film Festival

Outstanding Achievement Award (Crime Short) - Indie Short Fest.

Semi Finalist - Dumbo Film Festival, January 2020

Official Selection - Golden Door International Film Festival 2021

Official Selection - Lift-Off Sessions February 2020

LONEHEART

2019 (Writer/Director/Director of Photography)

Synopsis: After losing his wife & child to tragic events, a successful attorney falls deep into depression and then finds himself homeless with nothing left to live for. And all the remains from his past is a letter written to him by his daughter.

Starring: Bruce Penton & Alexa Garin
Written & Produced by: Bridget Fett & T.J. Penton
Original Score: Ralf Hildenbeutel

Stream: https://vimeo.com/313720863

Accolades:

Best Picture - Sunset Film Festival
Best Drama - Top Shorts

Best Drama - Life Fest FF

Best Male Director - Indt. Shorts Awards
Best Cinematography - Indt. Shorts Awards
Semi Finalist - Utah Festival & Awards
Official Selection - Manhattan Film Festival

Official Selection - SOHO Film Festival

Official Selection - Las Vegas FF
Official Selection - Feel the Reel FF
Official Selection - Dumbo Film Festival
Official Selection - Indie Short Fest
Official Selection - USA FF
Official Selection - Miami Independent FF
Official Selection - Action On Film FF

Official Selection - Tokyo Lift Off FF

DISCLOSURE

2018 (Writer/Director/Director of Photography)

Starring: Brad Stein & Amy Zeal
Co-Starring: T.J. Tyler
Original Score: James Newberry

Stream: https://vimeo.com/267405985

Accolades:

Best 1st Time Director - Independent Shorts Awards

Best Cinematography - Independent Shorts Awards
Best Crime Short - Independent Shorts Awards

Best Cinematography - Spring Shorts FF

Winner, Narrative - Top Shorts

Winner - Colorado Int. Activism FF

Semi Finalist - LAIFFA

Official Selection - Prisma Independent Film Awards

Official Selection - Feel the Reel FF

Education:

Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
BA Music Recording & Business