James Elazzi is an award-winning playwright, screenwriter, and director renowned for amplifying marginalised and unheard voices. His compelling work has earned nominations at the NSW Premier's Literary Awards for three consecutive years, culminating in his 2024 win of the Martin-Lysicrates Prize. He has also been shortlisted twice for the Rodney Seaborne Award, received three nominations for the Sydney Theatre Awards, and is a three-time Silver Gull Playwriting Award nominee. In 2024, James served as Assistant Director on Holding the Man at Belvoir St Theatre. He has made significant strides in film, writing, directing, and producing his second short film, Seeds of Gold, which explores Lebanese migration. This film has garnered the 2024 Panavision Award from the Australian Lebanese Film Festival and has been officially selected for eight international film festivals, including those in France, Florence, Prague, Lebanon, and Sydney. James' first short film, Yannis, directed and produced in 2022, achieved remarkable recognition, being selected for over 17 film festivals worldwide, including events in Los Angeles, Poland, Lebanon, Greece, and Italy. It won Best Performances at the 2022 LGBTQI+ Los Angeles Film Festival and garnered seven nominations at the Made in The West Film Festival, winning Best Lead Actor. His sold-out stage plays include Saints of Damour (2024 Qtopia Sydney), Karim (2024, National Theatre of Parramatta), Son of Byblos (Belvoir St Theatre 25A), Lady Tabouli (National Theatre of Parramatta), Queen Fatima (National Theatre of Parramatta), and Omar and Dawn (KXT). Through his dynamic storytelling, James continues to challenge narratives and inspire change in the arts.
