Copywriter Screenwriter Director Dion Watkins
PROFILE
BIO
Dion Watkins is an internationally award-winning writer, director, producer and a brand storyteller. He has shaped advertising for Fortune 500 companies, the U.S. federal government, 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 and/or director has generated over 100 million YouTube views. 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, Ottowa 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
•Award Winner for Best Short Sci Fi film at the London Women Film Festival – "Afterlight" short film – Writer, Director, Producer
•Award Winner for Best Sci Fi film at the New York Shorts Awards – "Afterlight" short film – Writer, Director, Producer
•Award Winner for Best Sci Fi film at the Ottawa Film Award – "Afterlight" short film – Writer, Director, Producer
•Award Winner for Best Actor in a Sci Fi at the New York Best Actor and Director Awards – "Afterlight" short film – Writer, Director, Producer
•Award Winner for Best Short Thriller at the Milan Indie Film Festival – "Afterlight" short film – Writer, Director, Producer
•Award Winner for Best Sci Fi movie – Cine-Vista Oasis Film Awards of Indonesia – "Afterlight" short film – Writer, Director, Producer
•Award Winner for Best Sci Fi film – Kyoto Cinematica Film Festival of Japan – "Afterlight" short film – Writer, Director, Producer
•Award Winner for Best Sci Fi film and Best Thriller film – Berlin Short Film Awards – "Afterlight" short film – Writer, Director, Producer
•Official Selection – Silver Screen Film Festival in Prague – "Afterlight" short film – Writer, Director, Producer
•Official Selection – Venice (CA) Shorts Film Festival – "Afterlight" short film – Writer, Director, Producer
•Official Selection for the San Francisco Arthouse Short Festival – "Afterlight" short film – Writer, Director, Producer
•Official Selection – Frames of New York Film Festival – "Afterlight" short film – Writer, Director, Producer
•Official Selection – IndieNight Film Festival – "Afterlight" short film – Writer, Director, Producer
•Winner of the Gold Addy Award for Branded Content – CHOC Children’s “Patched” – Copywriter
•Winner of the Addy Award in Orange County – GenZe “Bent Out of Shape” – Copywriter
•Winner of the Addy Award in Orange County – Dole’s Star Wars App – 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
•Official Selection for the Hollywood Film Festival, BET and Johnson & Johnson’s Lens on Talent, Bronzelens Film Festival, Aspire’s ABFF Independent Film Showcase – "Crown Heights" short film – Writer, Director
•Apple iTunes first ever Music Video of the Week – "Everybody" starring Fonzworth Bentley, André 3000 & Ye (Formerly Kanye West) – Writer, Director
•Winner of The Writer's Room 5050 &. Level 4 Press Screenwriting Competition for Adapting Books to the Screen
•Recipient of Agency-wide recognition – Amusement Park Inc. – Copywriter