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Josh Akin is an award-winning filmmaker based in Los Angeles, CA.

A recent graduate of USC's Film & TV Production MFA program, Josh co-directed the upcoming horror feature THE PHANTOM, executive produced by Academy Award-nominee John Watson. He also produced and edited the Atlanta Film Festival & SIFF official selection BLACK SILK, a coming-of-age short starring and executive produced by GET OUT's Marcus Henderson, which won the 2024 Grand Jury prize at Dances With Film: LA.

Previously, Josh directed the LA Shorts official selection JURASSIC PUNK (Outstanding Screenwriting, SCA First Look; Best Actor, Portland Comedy Film Festival), a dark comedy for which he received the USC Jack Nicholson Directing Award. In addition to writing and directing, he is a seasoned editor, having cut YO SOY SALLY LA LOCA (Best Short Film, CineSol), DRIVEN (BAFTA Student Award Shortlist), SIDE EFFECTS (Caucus Foundation TV Award) and CLARINS X FEED, a short documentary produced by Keely Shaye & Pierce Brosnan.

Originally from rural Georgia, Josh received a BFA in Drama from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. As an actor, highlights include working for FX Productions, starring in The Classical Studio's production of HAMLET with Maya Erskine, and sharing the Stonestreet Studios Outstanding Film Actor award with Miles Teller.

Josh is the founder of Animal Brain Productions and a creative partner at Peace Love Dope Films, a diverse filmmaking collective spotlighting underrepresented voices.