BIO
Based in Melbourne, Australia, Justin won the Australian Writers’ Guild’s Monte Miller Award for Best Unproduced Screenplay for his feature project SHOSHANNA. The film was also shortlisted for the Sundance Screenwriters’ Lab, was a finalist in the ScreenCraft Screenwriting Fellowship, and received development funding from Creative Victoria. It is presently in development.
Justin received an AFI/AACTA Award nomination for best short film for his drama ADAM’S TALLIT. The film also won the commendation award at the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, and enjoyed an extensive life on the festival circuit. He conceived and co-directed the feature documentary CURTAIN CALL with Waterbyrd Films. Focussing on the Australian pioneers of children’s pantomime theatre as they face a cruel eviction from their beloved theatre, the film premiered at the Melbourne International Film Festival to critical acclaim and was broadcast on SBS.
Justin also directed the Screen Australia funded short film FUN CITY – which premiered at the 66th Locarno Film Festival and was nominated for the best short film ATOM Award. He was selected for Berlinale Talents, taking part in master classes, talks and events with emerging filmmakers from all over the world. He completed director’s attachments on the Australian feature film STRANGERLAND and the ABC comedy mini-series STORIES I WANT TO TELL YOU IN PERSON. He’s also been a short film judge and selector for the AACTA Awards, ATOM Awards and Flickerfest.
Justin co-created and directed the comedy web series ECHO CHAMBER with Carla Silbert, and his short film THE VISITOR won the best director award at the Sao Paulo Film Festival and was exhibited at the Jewish Museum of Australia. The film received production funding from the Besen Foundation and the City of Port Phillip’s Cultural Development Fund.
Justin was the recipient of a ‘Charlie’s Desk’ residency with Australians In Film, and a fellowship from the In Dreams Screenwriting initiative. Justin is a graduate of the VCA School of Film and Television.