James A. Burkhalter '21 (Filmmaking MFA) is a Baltimore-based filmmaker, screenwriter, and educator. His directorial credits include a feature-length documentary entitled There Will Be GLiTTER: A Glimpse of Queer Life @ Gettysburg College, as well as several shorts including: Dreams Of My Father, Kween For A Day, Love, Ava, and Your Inbox Is Full. His films have been honored at the Baltimore International Black Film Festival, the Black Femme Supremacy Film Festival, and the LGBTQ Unbordered International Film Festival, among others.

In the summer of 2021, James produced the critically acclaimed comedic short film, F^¢K 'EM R!GHT B@¢K (2022 Sundance Official Selection, Now Streaming on Showtime, PARAMOUNT+, and BET), and his queer horror screenplay, Last Call, won 2nd Place at the Baltimore Film Office's 16th Annual Screenwriters' Competition (hosted by the MDFF). In Spring 2023, he was awarded a $30K development grant through the Saul Zaentz Innovation Fund to produce his 2nd feature length documentary, tentatively titled Guns 4 Gays; Or, My First Time. He is concurrently writing and producing a queer horror anthology film (Working Title: BMore Afraid) with Baltimore drag performers Nikki Woodles and Kelsey Kadaver, slated for release in 2026.