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James Callner started his professional filmmaking career in his early twenties with a small film, Deaf Like Me, which earned him 26 international awards. He has earned over 35 National and Inter-National awards and critical acclaim for writing and directing films about physically and emotionally challenged individuals.

In 1982 Mr. Callner himself was afflicted with the devastating anxiety disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), a disorder that affects 1 in 40 adults and 1 in 100 children in the USA alone. Approximately 5 to 6 million Americans have OCD. It ranks among the 10 leading causes of disability worldwide

After two decades of Cognitive, Behavioral, Spiritual, Medical and Alternative therapies and treatments, James Callner has emerged as an educator and public speaker on moving though the fears and anxieties of life and into self confidence, self--esteem and hope. His films are dedicated to his recovery.
Mr. Callner's first film on OCD, The Touching Tree was based on his own disorder. The National Obsessive Compulsive Foundation funded it. It was honored with eight awards including awards from The American Psychiatric Association, The International Health and Medical Film Festival, The United States International Film Festival, The National Educational Film Festival and many others.

Since The Touching Tree Mr. Callner and has made seven more films, including The Risk, the series Hope and Solutions for OCD and his new film In the Shoes of Christopher. Mr. Callner has been speaking and showing his films on OCD recovery and hope since 1992. He is President and Co-Founder of The Awareness Foundation for OCD & Related Disorders. He has presented for The National Alliance for Mentally Ill, The Obsessive Compulsive Foundation, The Anxiety Association of America, The Trichotillomainia Learning Center, The Learning Disabilities Association of America, Catholic Charities Behavioral Health Program, Codependents Anonymous Conferences, Children's Hospital, Seattle, Kaiser Hospital, California Nurses Association Madison Institute of Medicine and many other foundations and organizations. His school presentations range from Stanford University, San Jose State University, University of California, Santa Cruz, and Hayward State University to elementary, middle and high schools.

He continues to make films for and about people who are challenged. James Callner lives with his wife Jeanine in Santa Cruz, California.