James Chappell is a two-time ARIA Award-winning director renowned for his bold visual storytelling and a knack for blending genre tropes with quirky humour, energetic camerawork and stylised VFX.

From music videos and short films to high-impact branded content, James brings a cinematic edge to every project, seamlessly fusing the worlds of music and advertising with vibrantly designed aesthetics and undeniable charm.

In a career-defining achievement, James became the first director to win back-to-back ARIA Awards for Best Music Video in 2019 and 2020 for Guy Sebastian, solidifying his reputation as a visionary talent. His work has earned three Vimeo Staff Pick badges, reflecting his ability to captivate audiences with inventive, boundary-pushing visuals.

James has directed campaigns for top-tier brands like eBay, Subaru, Westfield, TK Maxx, NRL, Boost Juice, Amazon, Chubb and V Energy and crafted promos for hit TV shows such as The Voice and Australia’s Got Talent. The Voice promos he directed in 2021 and 2022 helped the show achieve record-breaking ratings, further cementing his impact in the commercial sphere.

Currently, James has just shot his latest short film, Shelly, featuring legendary actor Gary Sweet, and is developing his debut genre feature . He also wrapped production on The Voice 2024 promo and shot a music video for breakout pop star Stephen Sanchez, whose viral hit “Until I Found You” has garnered over 2 billion streams.

With credits that include serving as 2nd Unit Director on the sci-fi action-horror Nekrotronic, produced by The Matrix’s Andrew Mason, James continues to push the boundaries of storytelling. His fearless approach to filmmaking ensures that his work resonates and leaves a lasting impact on audiences around the globe.

He has recently signed to Clockwork Films for advertising representation across Australia.