PROFILE

BIO

Dion Watkins is an internationally award-winning writer, director, producer and a brand storyteller. He has shaped advertising for Fortune 500 companies and global brands, crafting impactful narratives that resonate across platforms and audiences. His approach to storytelling, blending empathy and curiosity with his honed craft, unique voice and personal touch empowers his work to connect with audiences worldwide.

Dion’s work in narrative and for leading brands as well as Grammy award-winning artists such as Faith Evans, André 3000 and Anthony Hamilton as writer, copywriter and director has generated over 100 million views on YouTube. His films have been selected for prestigious festivals, including his short film "Afterlight," which won Best Short Sci-Fi Film at the London Women Film Festival, New York Shorts Awards, Ottawa Film Award, Cine-Vista Oasis Film Awards in Indonesia, Kyoto Cinematica Film Festival in Japan, Milan Indie Film Festival, and the Berlin Short Film Awards, in addition to being Official Selection at numerous distinguished festivals from Prague to San Francisco and New York.

His screenwriting has garnered top honors, earning a highly competitive fellowship for literary adaptation and he has engaged in collaborative efforts with Lionsgate, Walden Media, 20th Television, MTV and Tyler Perry Studios. A University of Southern California’s Graduate School of Cinematic Arts and Morehouse College alum, Dion channels compelling vision into every word and frame, forging connection and creating inspiring and impactful work through the universal power of storytelling.

ACCOLADES

Film

•Award Winner for Best Short Sci Fi film at the London Women Film Festival, New York Shorts Awards, Ottawa Film Award, Cine-Vista Oasis Film Awards of Indonesia, Kyoto Cinematica Film Festival of Japan, Best Actor in a Sci Fi at the New York Best Actor and Director Awards, and Best Short Thriller at the Milan Indie Film Festival, Berlin Short Film Awards as well as Official Selection at the Silver Screen Film Festival in Prague, Venice (CA) Shorts Film Festival, San Francisco Arthouse Short Festival, Frames of New York Film Festival, IndieNight Film Festival of Los Angeles with a screening at the Historic Chinese Theater – "Afterlight" short film – Writer, Director, Producer

•Official Selection for the Hollywood Film Festival, BET and Johnson & Johnson’s Lens on Talent, Bronzelens Film Festival – "Crown Heights" short film – Writer, Director

•Winner of The Writer's Room 5050 &. Level 4 Press Screenwriting Competition for Adapting Books to the Screen

Brand

•Winner of the Gold Addy Award for Branded Content – CHOC Children’s “Patched” – Copywriter

•Winner of the Addy Award in Orange County – Dole’s Star Wars App – Copywriter

•Winner of the Addy Award in Orange County – GenZe “Bent Out of Shape” – Copywriter

•Winner of the Gold People’s Telly Award – “Make the Invisible Visible” – Copywriter

•Winner of the Gold Telly for Social Impact – “Make the Invisible Visible” – Copywriter

•Agency-wide recognition – Amusement Park – Copywriter

Music Video

•Apple iTunes first ever Music Video of the Week – "Everybody" starring Fonzworth Bentley, André 3000 & Ye (Formerly Kanye West) – Writer, Director

Reach

•100+ Million Views across Film, Brand, and Music Video as writer, copywriter and director

PRESS

THE ONE CLUB FOR CREATIVITY ARTICLE

Dion is featured in an article from The One Club for Creativity, an esteemed, international advertising organization, highlighting his career as a copywriter and beyond.

Click the image below to view the article.

THE WRITER'S ROOM + LEVEL 4 PRESS SCREENWRITING COMPETITION WINNER

Dion is a winner of the highly competitive Writer's Room 5050 and Level 4 Press screenwriting competition and fellowship for adapting books to the screen.

Click the image below to view the PR announcement.