J.J. Alani

Based in Paris & Los Angeles, J.J. Alani aka J. Jonroy Alani has been a member of the Directors Guild of America (DGA), and Writers Guild of America (WGA) in New York since 1997. Alani is the writer, producer, director of David & Layla (2005), a political romantic comedy distributed by Warner Bros., and Beyond Paradise (2015), a drama love story distributed by Marvista Entertainment. Beyond Paradise (2015) was nominated for two Imagen Awards: Best Actor Ryan Guzman vs. Antonio Banderas, and Best Actress Francia Raisa vs. Juliette Binoche. Both films were Official Selection at the world's top two Amour film festivals: Mon International Films d' Amour in Belgium; and the Cabourg Romantic Films Festival in France. Alani Executive Produced Margreet (2015), a story about the legend of Mata Hari set in Paris. It was an Official Selection at Cannes Film Festival 2015, where it held its World Premiere. Official Selection at 29 International Film Festivals, David & Layla (2005) won 8 Awards, including Mons Festival International Du Film D'Amour's Grand Prix Du Public vs. La Vie en Rose, 2 Days in Paris, and Lady Chatterley. David & Layla (2005) received notable praise from the Nobel Laureate, Oscar nominee Screenwriter and acclaimed Playwright, Harold Pinter: "A bold, politically relevant film made against impossible odds." Plus, critical reviews in the New York Times, Variety, Washington Post, LA Times, Jewish Chronicle, etc. In Paris, where he studied at the Sorbonne University, 1990-1994, receiving a "Diplôme Supérieur de Langue et Civilisation Française", Alani is in pre-production of a feature entitled Au-Delà du Paradis, a French-UK-Georgia co-production. Eying a Netflix or an Amazon production, he has adapted his three film scripts of the Epic of Gilgamesh to a 12-episode TV Series inspired by man's first written epic, etched 5000 years ago on clay tablets. He worked briefly as a Fashion Photographer in London and Paris. Later, Alani lived in New York, where he taught and worked for 15 years Alani studied at the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and TV ( Adult Education), and at the USC School of Cinematic Arts (Advanced Screenwriting) in Los Angeles, 1987-1990. In New York, he coached graduate students at the Graduate Department of New York University Film School on their final thesis projects. 1996-2000. A dual American and British citizen, Alani was born in Sulaymani. Fluent in English and French, he understands and speaks Spanish and some Portuguese, plus the ability to converse in three Middle Eastern languages. He has lived and worked in Paris, London, Rio de Janeiro, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York.