Dark Highway Films

(Painted Woman, starring Stef Dawson (Hunger Games), is the story of Julie Richards, a woman who finds strength and wisdom through the romance of the old west.) Born in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Cotten worked part-time at a local television station during his college days. While doing a story about The Tuskegee Airmen (1995) a feature film shot in the area, he was cast in a small role. Cotten continued to pursue his degree while perfecting his craft in Los Angeles. He had a number of roles in such movies as How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998), and on such TV shows as Frasier. James was also cast in an acting role opposite Ashley Judd in Joey Lauren Adams' Come Early Morning, playing Steve, a past one-night stand. Despite his growing success as an actor, Cotten’s passion centered around the challenge of script writing and directing. He began his filmmaking career studying at both The London Film School and The Los Angeles Film School. Roger Corman spoke at his graduation and, recognizing James’ talent and passion, offered him a film to direct. Demon Slayer was released in 2002. James went on to form his own film company, Dark Highway Films in 2006 to direct his second feature Sugar Creek. In 2009, James directed his largest film to date, La Linea – The Line, The story centers around veteran assassin Mark Shields (Ray Liotta) as he tracks down, Pelon (Esai Morales), the elusive head of the Salazar Crime Cartel. Through twists of fate, Shields ends up with a local woman, Olivia (Valerie Cruz) who is fighting her own demons for the sake of her daughter. Set in the rich and atmospheric backdrop of Tijuana, Mexico, La Linea is full of action and finds its soul in the plight of the characters that inhabit the most dangerous city in North America. The film also stars Andy García as Salarza, the dying Godfather of the cartel. La Linea premiered at the American Film Market in 2008, where it was touted by The Hollywood Reporter as “one of six films to watch”. The film had limited theatrical release in July 2009, as part of a Latino Film Series, followed by a Blockbuster exclusive release at the end of that August. Cotten went on to produce/executive produce a number of films including Resurrection County, which he wrote, Madison County, Darren Bousman’s Devil’s Carnival, and Hansel and Gretel Get Baked, starring Molly Quinn, Cary Elwes, and Laura Flynn Boyle (released through Tribeca Films and produced alongside Mark Morgan, the producer of Twilight). Cotten is currently working on his next feature film, Off, a thriller set during a solar flare apocalypse.

(Painted Woman, starring Stef Dawson (Hunger Games), is the story of Julie Richards, a woman who finds strength and wisdom through the romance of the old west.) Born in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Cotten worked part-time at a local television station during his college days. While doing a story about The Tuskegee Airmen (1995) a feature film shot in the area, he was cast in a small role. Cotten continued to pursue his degree while perfecting his craft in Los Angeles. He had a number of roles in such movies as How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998), and on such TV shows as Frasier. James was also cast in an acting role opposite Ashley Judd in Joey Lauren Adams' Come Early Morning, playing Steve, a past one-night stand. Despite his growing success as an actor, Cotten’s passion centered around the challenge of script writing and directing. He began his filmmaking career studying at both The London Film School and The Los Angeles Film School. Roger Corman spoke at his graduation and, recognizing James’ talent and passion, offered him a film to direct. Demon Slayer was released in 2002. James went on to form his own film company, Dark Highway Films in 2006 to direct his second feature Sugar Creek. In 2009, James directed his largest film to date, La Linea – The Line, The story centers around veteran assassin Mark Shields (Ray Liotta) as he tracks down, Pelon (Esai Morales), the elusive head of the Salazar Crime Cartel. Through twists of fate, Shields ends up with a local woman, Olivia (Valerie Cruz) who is fighting her own demons for the sake of her daughter. Set in the rich and atmospheric backdrop of Tijuana, Mexico, La Linea is full of action and finds its soul in the plight of the characters that inhabit the most dangerous city in North America. The film also stars Andy García as Salarza, the dying Godfather of the cartel. La Linea premiered at the American Film Market in 2008, where it was touted by The Hollywood Reporter as “one of six films to watch”. The film had limited theatrical release in July 2009, as part of a Latino Film Series, followed by a Blockbuster exclusive release at the end of that August. Cotten went on to produce/executive produce a number of films including Resurrection County, which he wrote, Madison County, Darren Bousman’s Devil’s Carnival, and Hansel and Gretel Get Baked, starring Molly Quinn, Cary Elwes, and Laura Flynn Boyle (released through Tribeca Films and produced alongside Mark Morgan, the producer of Twilight). Cotten is currently working on his next feature film, Off, a thriller set during a solar flare apocalypse.

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