Awards

Selected awards and festival recognition.

Festival awards, nominations, official selections and screenings from films, documentaries and music videos directed, shot, produced, edited or otherwise creatively supported by James Alton.

Recognized work

Films, selections and awards.

Each project includes James's credited role and the clearest public source available for the award, nomination, selection or screening.

2026

Midlife Shuffle

B Camera Operator · Assistant DP.
  • Best Acting - Snakebite 5-Day Film Challenge, 2026
  • 2nd Place - Snakebite 5-Day Film Challenge, 2026
  • Best Acting Ensemble - Snakebite 5-Day Film Challenge, 2026
  • Best Editing - Snakebite 5-Day Film Challenge, 2026
  • Best Use of Secret Prop - Snakebite 5-Day Film Challenge, 2026
  • Best Story - Snakebite 5-Day Film Challenge, 2026
  • Official Selection - Okanagan Screen Awards, 2026
  • Official Selection - 2nd Kelowna Independent Film Festival, 2026

2026

The Letter

Director · Executive Producer · Editor
  • Official Selection - Okanagan Screen Awards, 2026

2025-2026

Alex Wright - Colorado

Director · Producer · Cinematographer · Editor · Colourist
  • Best Music Video, 3rd Place - Okanagan Screen Awards, 2026
  • Best Song - Okanagan Screen Awards, 2026

2025-2026

Kris Anders - Open Road

Director · Producer · Cinematographer
  • Special Mention Award - Thilsri International Film Festival, 2025
  • Best Male Solo Artist - 9th Annual California Music Video and Film Awards, 2026
  • Best Folk, Country or Blues - 9th Annual California Music Video and Film Awards, 2026
  • Best of Canada Music Video - 9th Annual California Music Video and Film Awards, 2026
  • Music Video of the Year - BC Country Music Association Awards, 2026
  • Official Selection - Okanagan Screen Awards, 2026
  • Best Actress in a Music Video - The Josie Music Awards, 2026

2025-2026

The Knitting Diaries

1st Assistant Camera · Lighting Support.
  • Official Selection - Okanagan Screen Awards, 2026
  • 2nd Place - Okanagan Screen Awards, 2026
  • People's Choice - Okanagan Screen Awards, 2026
  • Best Acting Ensemble - Okanagan Screen Awards, 2026

2024

The Village Dance Academy - Sockeye

Director · Producer · Cinematographer · Editor
  • Official Selection - Okanagan Screen Awards, 2024
  • Selection

    Official Selection - Okanagan Screen Awards, 2024

2022-2025

Three Hearts

Director · Producer · Cinematographer · Editor
  • Official Selection - Okanagan Screen Awards, 2025

2021-2024

Because She's Adopted

Director · Cinematographer · Producer
  • Gil Cardinal Documentary Feature Award - Dreamspeakers International Indigenous Film Festival, 2024
  • Best Canadian Documentary - Vancouver International Movie Awards, 2024
  • Official Selection / Canadian Premiere - Dreamspeakers International Indigenous Film Festival, 2024
  • Outstanding Excellence - Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival, 2024
  • Official Selection / NYC Premiere - Adoptee Film Festival, 2025
  • Best Editing, Feature Documentary - Okanagan Screen Awards, 2024
  • 3rd Place, Feature Documentary - Okanagan Screen Awards, 2024
  • Community screening - Kikiwak Inn, 2024
  • Award

    Gil Cardinal Documentary Feature Award - Dreamspeakers International Indigenous Film Festival, 2024

  • Award

    Best Canadian Documentary - Vancouver International Movie Awards, 2024

  • Selection

    Official Selection / Canadian Premiere - Dreamspeakers International Indigenous Film Festival, Metro Cinema Edmonton, 2024

  • Award

    Outstanding Excellence - Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival, 2024

  • Selection

    Official Selection / NYC Premiere - Adoptee Film Festival, New York City, 2025

  • Award

    Best Editing, Feature Documentary - Okanagan Screen Awards, 2024

  • Placement

    3rd Place, Feature Documentary - Okanagan Screen Awards, 2024

  • Screening

    Community screening - Kikiwak Inn, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Manitoba, 2024

2018-2021

Mabel

Writer · Director · Executive Producer
  • Best Directing (Short) - Calgary Independent Film Festival, 2022
  • Best Actor in Short - Toronto Independent Festival of CIFT, 2022
  • Best Male Directing in Short - Toronto Independent Festival of CIFT, 2022
  • Official Selection - SHORT to the Point International Film Festival
  • Official Selection - Canada Independent Film Festival
  • Official Selection - Okanagan Screen Awards, 2024

Role context

Creative work first.

James Alton Films focuses on James's directing, cinematography, editing, producing and related creative credits. Broader studio, production-support and infrastructure recognition is available through Kelowna Film Studios where the company story is the stronger fit.