James Kautz’s LGBT live-action short film Frankie focuses on a non-binary transgender person who comes out to their ex-partner and his men’s codependency group. This powerful film screened at this year’s Oscar-qualifying Atlanta Film Festival and it won a silver Remi Award at the 2021 WorldFest Houston Film Festival.

Frankie, a non-binary trans person, crashes their ex-partner’s men-only 12 step meeting, determined to be heard… no matter the cost.

Director James Kautz is a multifaceted artist of stage and film who has been hailed by The New York Times as fearless and fiercely talented by Time Out New York. James is the Founder of Red Seed Films and the Founding Artistic Director of the award winning, Off Broadway Theatre Company, The Amoralists. As an actor, Kautz has worked in television (HBO’s Vinyl, CBS’ Bull), NYC theatre, independent film and voice over.

Producer/Actor Morgan Ruaidhrí O’Sullivan is a Founder of Red Seed Films, producing and starring in the company’s first two films, Frankie and Manifold. As an actor, Morgan has also worked in NYC theatre (Pearl, The Amoralists, Project Theatre). They’ve acted as Creative Director of The Orange Avenue Project, a documentary-style endeavor that amplifies the voices of those who survived & were affected by the Pulse Massacre. Morgan’s personal focus is creating safe spaces for artists of the trans experience to create work that amplifies their voices. 

Cinematographer Tommy Agriodimas is one half of a creative photo & directing team Ungano + Agriodimas. His editorial work has appeared in Vogue, Vanity Fair, The NY Times, Style Magazine, V Magazine, Esquire, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, and many more. Tommy has worked commercially with a variety of brands including Estee Lauder, Cartier, Prada, Zimmermann, Ralph Lauren, Coach, Nike and MTV.

Editor Donna Madrigal has worked in Post Production for over 10 years. Some of the projects she has been involved in are Scrubs, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,Run All Night, and The Good Liar. Her most recent work was editing on the Apple TV series The Mosquito Coast. 

The supporting ensemble cast includes Richard Masur (Transparent), Matthew Lawler (Prodigal Son), McCaleb Burnett (The Revenant) and Bhavesh Patel (The Good Wife).