Anna Elizabeth James

About Anna Elizabeth James

I believe the most powerful currency in the modern world is a story well told - not just for entertainment, but as a catalyst for economic and cultural shift. As an IP architect, filmmaker, and the founder of Kiss and Tale Productions, my career has been defined by a commitment to bold, female-led narratives that push the boundaries of genre and medium. Today, I am leveraging my background in global distribution to pioneer a new market category at the nexus of Fintech, FemTech, and Media & Entertainment.My current focus is the \"Pleasure-Fintech\" movement. Through my disruptive IP, The Good Girls’ Guide to O, I am building a scalable \"phygital\" ecosystem designed to quantify \"invisible labor.\" By providing data-driven tools for personal finance and mental load management, we are solving high-friction life challenges for women - a venture strategically positioned for the 2026 Venture Capital landscape.I wrote, directed, and produced Deadly Illusions (2021), which became a global phenomenon, holding the #1 spot worldwide on Netflix for 8 days. My latest thriller, Held Hostage in My House (2024), starring Amy Smart and Billy Zane, premiered on Netflix on October 15, 2025, and is currently streaming globally. My work is vetted by the industry’s most prestigious entities, from a major feature script sale to David Ellison’s Skydance Media early in my career, to writing and directing two successful family features for Sony Pictures (Emma’s Chance and Destined to Ride).I co-wrote the action-thriller Supercell (2023) and recently penned If I Can Dream, an intimate portrait of Elvis Presley. My broader credits include Satisfaction (2026), Succubus (2024), and the critically acclaimed May December (2024). As an active WGA member and an MFA graduate of the USC School of Cinematic Arts, I am dedicated to bridging the gap between artistic vision and commercial ROI. Whether through my current film slate or my work as a UCLA Extension instructor, my mission remains the same: to build sustainable, technology-integrated models and cinematic phygital experiences for the next generation of media.

Experience

1. Writer Director Producer Psychological Thriller, Held Hostage in my House

   Netflix

   Apr 2021 — Present

   Now on NETFLIX! A strategic multi-platform release featuring an A-list ensemble including Amy Smart, Billy Zane, and Ne-Yo.Secured a domestic acquisition via Lifetime (A+E Networks), followed by a global debut on the world\'s largest streaming platform. October 15, 2025.Orchestrated complex production logistics and high-level talent attachment, delivering a studio-grade asset that consistently performs in the high-demand mystery/thriller vertical.

Education

• University of Southern California

  Master of Fine Arts - MFA, Cinematography and Film/Video Production

• Brigham Young University

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Broadcast Journalism

Skills

• Writing
• Commercials
• Screenwriting
• Editing
• Post Production
• Creative Writing
• Television
• Producing
• Feature Films
• Digital Media
• Video Editing
• Directing
• Film Production
• Social Media
• Film
• Video Production
• Video
• Entertainment
• Short Films
• Final Draft