JJ Winlove is a writer and director known for June Again (2020). He also wrote and directed 12:12, an anthology of twelve films made over twelve months.

JJ was born in the other windy city: Wellington, New Zealand. His creative career began at the age of six when he wrote his first play. It involved cataclysmic earthquakes, murderous gangs and deadly knife fights. Despite the fact it made absolutely no sense, his teacher had the whole class perform it, setting the tone for JJ's insatiable desire to tell stories.

He spent much of his childhood writing stories and plays, shooting short films, and inventing board games. Later, he discovered photography and a new love affair began. He spent his teenage years staring through the lens of a Pentax Spotmatic or watching images magically appear in the noxious peacefulness of the darkroom.

Going on to study photography at the Wellington School of Design (world famous in New Zealand), JJ left with a Bachelor of Design in Photography. Next, he jumped over the Tasman Sea to Sydney where he worked as a photographic assistant and graphic designer before beginning a career in advertising as an art director.

While working as a commercial artist, filmmaking was always in his sights. His first short film, 'The Falling', was made for the Sydney Film Festival competition - the mandate: to make a one-minute short using only a mobile phone. His little tale of a news-reading leaf won the competition and screened to a full house at the closing night of the festival.

Following this endeavor, he made a series of increasingly ambitious short films, all of which have been selected by festivals around the world and gathered a loyal online following.

JJ was nominated for the Australian Writer's Guild Monte Miller award for best screenplay for his short film, The Mind Job (2012). The short went on to rank as one of L.A. Weekly's 'Ten Films You Must See' at the 2013 L.A. Comedy Shorts Festival.

In 2015, he set out to write, produce, and direct twelve short films in twelve months. It was an intense twelve months, but the results were extraordinary in their design and reception. The success of this project, entitled 12:12, was made possible through his sheer willpower, entrepreneurial social media presence, and love of storytelling.

In 2020, JJ wrote and directed his first feature film, the heartfelt dramedy "June Again", which was a commercial and critical success during its theatrical release in Australia, and the film was picked up from US distribution by Samuel Goldwyn Films. "June Again" earned four nominations at the Australian Academy Awards, including Best Actress, Supporting Actress, Original Screenplay for Winlove, and won Best Original Score.

JJ's sensibility and craftsmanship is a wonderful combination of the likes of Spike Jonze and Richard Curtis, while illustrating a distinct expression of originality and identity all his own. He is represented by Scott Carr/Management SGC.

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JJ Winlove

Director

Writer

Actor

Producer

Editor

Visual Effects

Animation Department

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