Anna Elizabeth James

Description:

Anna's break-out feature film, Deadly Illusions (2021), was completed under her company banner Kiss and Tale Productions - where she wrote, directed, and produced. The film became an instant smash hit upon its release on Netflix. The psychological thriller, known for its bold approach and "keep-you-guessing narrative" has been featured in a myriad of publications for breaking numerous streaming records, landing at #1 worldwide for 8 days and the top ten worldwide for 18 days. The story follows a bestselling female novelist suffering from writer's block who hires an innocent young woman to watch over her twin children. As the novelist dangerously indulges in her new best seller, the line between the life she's writing and the one she's living becomes blurred. The film stars Kristin Davis, Dermot Mulroney, Greer Grammer and Shanola Hampton and was acquired by Voltage Pictures for domestic and worldwide sales after the film was completed.

Anna has directed four other feature films, one through A&E Networks, Held Hostage in My House (2024), two through Sony Pictures, Emma's Chance (2016), & Destined to Ride (2018), and a TV Movie, Sisters for Life (2021), as well as a pilot for MTV, and numerous award-winning shorts. In her second year of grad school her feature script, I Do Over, sold to David Ellison's Skydance Media.

Her other collaborations include, Succubus (2024) which she produced under her Kiss and Tale banner, and Supercell (2023), which she co-wrote. May December (2024) she assisted the Producer in helping lift the project off the ground.

Anna holds an MFA from USC's School of Cinematic Arts and is the mother of four.

Overview

Birthday June 17, 2025
Alternative names Anna James

Did you know

Trivia Met Pixar's founder John Lasseter at a panel where he told her that if she wanted to work at Pixar she needed to attend USC, they recruit from there. That fall she applied to USC and was admitted five months later. She credits the meeting with John as a life changing moment. At the time she was a stay-at-home mom with three young children, hosting a weekly book club, and secretly teaching herself how to write screenplays. After her first year of film school she was one of five students chosen as a finalist for the coveted editing internship at Pixar. She ended up not pursuing that path and instead focused on the writing and directing.
Nickname Annie

Scores

Deadly Illusions
1h 54m
3.8
Held Hostage in My House
1h 30m
5.2
Emma's Chance
1h 33m
6
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