J.M. Kallet

Directing

Born September 14, 1981 · Syracuse, New York, U.S

Jeff M. Kallet is an accomplished writer, director, and artist who has been telling stories since he could first pick up a pencil. While most kindergartners could barely master the art of finger painting, a then five-year-old Jeff was already leaving his imprint on the world of visual storytelling by getting his one-page illustrated tale "Rik (sic) the Chick" published in Highlights magazine. After working for several years in corporate marketing and graphic design, Jeff returned to his true passion with his first short film, "Forum," a gripping thriller about one man's confrontation with the cyberbully who drove his sister to suicide. That project went on to become an official selection of the Malibu Film Festival, the International New York Film Festival, the Fort Myers Beach International Film Festival, and a finalist with the Red Movie Awards. His follow-up, " Show and Tell," has finished post-production and is preparing for a festival run. Jeff has also written several screenplays that have garnered numerous accolades and industry attention. "No One Leaves Alive," his take on the summer camp slasher as an epic action thriller, was a finalist in the Big Apple Film Festival horror screenplay competition and has also been recognized by the Filmatic Horror Screenplay Awards and the ScreenCraft Horror Competition. Jeff has also received acclaim for his feature-length screenplay "Emily Greene," a coming-of-age horror drama, as well as his short film screenplays "We're Here to Kill It" and "Show and Tell." In addition to his narrative work, Jeff has also made his mark in commercials and branded content projects, both in his writing and art direction. He has won multiple awards for his commercial work, including a National Addy Award for "Mazda - Take Flight." With the power to shape perspectives, Jeff sees stories as a driving force for change. A wide array of influences inform Jeff's work as he continues to push boundaries and evolve as an artist, exploring new genres and techniques in both film and commercial advertising, always looking to create unique, immersive storytelling experiences. Born and raised in Syracuse, New York, Jeff earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Ithaca College before attending Full Sail University, where he received an Associate of Arts degree in Film and Video. When not on location or in front of his laptop, you can usually find Jeff reading, hiking, watching movies, or exploring new places with a camera by his side. Jeff lives and works in Los Angeles, California.