Joshua Kazam

Joshua Kazam
Name	Joshua Kazam
Birth date	1990s
Birth place	New York City
Occupation	Filmmaker; Producer; Screenwriter; Actor
Years active	2010s–present
Notable works	Cold November, Chasing the Swim, short films

Joshua Kazam is an American filmmaker, producer, screenwriter, and actor known for independent film production and collaborations across documentary and narrative cinema. He emerged through festival circuits and independent studios, working with established festivals, production companies, and distribution platforms. Kazam's practice spans short films, feature-length narratives, and documentary projects that engage with themes of memory, identity, and Americana.

Early life and education

Kazam was born and raised in New York City and grew up amid the cultural institutions of Manhattan and Brooklyn, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lincoln Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York Film Festival, and neighborhood theatres. He attended preparatory programs associated with Juilliard School and summer intensives connected to Sundance Institute labs and regional film workshops. For higher education he matriculated in programs with ties to the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, New York University Tisch School of the Arts, and other conservatories, combining film production curricula with internships at studios and nonprofit organizations such as Participant Media and Film Society of Lincoln Center. Early mentors included faculty and visiting artists who had worked with institutions like Smithsonian Institution and the Museum of Modern Art.

Career

Kazam began his professional career in the 2010s, taking roles in production assistants and assistant producer positions on independent sets tied to companies such as A24, Neon, Bleecker Street, and boutique production houses. He developed short-form work at labs associated with the Sundance Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, and SXSW, and later transitioned to producing feature projects that screened at major festivals including Sundance Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Venice Film Festival, and Telluride Film Festival. His producer credits reflect collaborations with directors who previously worked with distributors such as Oscilloscope Laboratories, IFC Films, Magnolia Pictures, and Sony Pictures Classics.

In addition to producing, Kazam has written and directed short films and worked in editorial departments, cinematography, and casting on projects connected to industry professionals from BBC Films, HBO, Netflix, and Amazon Studios. He established production relationships with regional film offices including New York State Governor's Office for Motion Picture & Television Development and festival programmers from Sundance Institute and Film Independent. Kazam has been involved with co-productions that utilized funding sources such as the National Endowment for the Arts, regional arts councils, and private equity investors tied to independent film finance.

Notable works and filmography

Kazam's filmography includes short films and producing credits on narrative features and documentaries. His features have screened alongside works by filmmakers associated with Kelly Reichardt, Todd Haynes, Greta Gerwig, Barry Jenkins, and Ari Aster at festivals such as Sundance Film Festival and Tribeca Film Festival. Notable titles include an award-winning short that circulated through SXSW and Palm Springs International ShortFest, and feature producing credits on projects that secured theatrical and streaming distribution through Neon and A24 affiliates.

Selected filmography (roles: producer, writer, director, actor): - Cold November — producer; festival screenings at Sundance Film Festival and Tribeca Film Festival. - Chasing the Swim — producer; premiered at SXSW and acquired for streaming. - A series of short films — writer/director; screened at Palm Springs International ShortFest, BFI London Film Festival, and Cannes Film Festival short film programs. He has also contributed to anthology projects curated by organizations such as Harvard Film Archive and collaborated with composers and cinematographers who have credits on films released by Sony Pictures Classics and Focus Features.

Awards and recognition

Kazam's projects have received festival awards and jury citations from institutions including Sundance Institute, Tribeca Film Festival, SXSW, and regional film prizes. He has been named to emerging producer lists compiled by industry publications that cover the Independent Spirit Awards and has participated in professional development fellowships sponsored by Sundance Institute and Film Independent. His short films won programming awards at Palm Springs International ShortFest and earned nominations at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts short film categories during circuit appearances.

Personal life

Kazam maintains a residence in New York City while working between production hubs in Los Angeles, Austin, Texas, and various on-location sites across the United States. He engages with creative communities linked to institutions like Sundance Institute, Film Independent, and university-based film programs at New York University and University of Southern California. Personal collaborations and mentorships often involve alumni networks from Tisch School of the Arts and conservatory-trained practitioners connected to Juilliard School.

Public image and philanthropy

Kazam's public image is associated with independent cinema advocacy, festival curation panels, and participation in mentorship programs. He has appeared on panels with representatives from Sundance Institute, Tribeca Film Festival, Film Independent, and distribution executives from A24 and Neon. His philanthropic activities include support for arts education initiatives and nonprofit film organizations such as Sundance Institute, Film Society of Lincoln Center, and regional arts councils. He has contributed time and resources to programs that promote emerging filmmakers at institutions like Harvard Film Archive and community arts centers in New York and Los Angeles.

Category:American film producers Category:American screenwriters Category:Living people