The Filmmakers
SHERBROOKE DOWN: VALLEY OF TEARS is the brainchild of former Wollongong based screen writer and Australian country music star James Stewart Keene. James formed a new start up company, Aloft Australian Productions Pty Ltd with Sydney business partner Steve McNaughton to produce and oversee the project. The film project went into pre-production in September 2023 with the goal of commencement of production in late 2024.
​WRITER/DIRECTOR AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
JAMES STEWART KEENE is an Australian country music artist, screen writer and independent filmmaker.
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James cut his teeth in videographic production by necessity. As an independent country musician, he used his artistic vision to bring his promo music videos to life, story boarding the ideas, creating a vision to the music and then putting all the right people in place to make it happen.
In 2021, James and his team produced the 23 min. Proof of Concept short film Sherbrooke Down: The Road to Cataract, which was released to international recognition through a multitude of independent short film festivals. That film has set the tone for what is to come.
James has made quite an impact on the Australian country music scene. His second album, Charm Offensive, made the ARIA Australian Country charts in its first week of release in 2017. He has enjoyed significant airplay around Australia on TV and radio.
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
STEVE McNAUGHTON is a successful businessman with over 30 years experience in the corporate world as a Managing Director of a reputable Australian recruitment firm, as well as managing multi-million dollar projects as a private capital investor.
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He also shares a passion with James as a musician, songwriter and creative entrepreneur, releasing a number of albums to critical acclaim. Steve was also Executive Producer for his music video to 'Storm Chaser', a clip featuring actual footage of real Storm Chasers following tornadoes in the US. The music video gained airplay on ABC TV.
Steve offers a wealth of experience in corporate governance and as Executive Producer on the project, he will be guiding the financial and project management of the film.