JUSTEN TURNER
Since the age of eleven, 21-yr. old filmmaker Justen Turner has been producing and directing short film projects. At the encouragement and urging of his older brother Julien, Justen formally created Dreadhead Films in 2014 (when he was 12), and in that same year, two of his films-- iWitness Christmas and Giving Gives Back were honored and recognized at national film festivals. Justen quickly became noticed in his community for his filmmaking skills and was hired to provide videography services for the varsity football and basketball programs at his local high school. In 2016, Justen and his brother Julien decided to join forces and serve as partners at Dreadhead Films. In November 2017, the Turner brothers were thrust into the national spotlight when two major events took place simultaneously--brother Julien's biology rap video went viral and the brothers were recognized as the youngest filmmakers (15 & 19) to be commissioned to produce a short film for Sesame Street for its 2018-2019 season. As a result, they were featured on CNN, in The NY Times, and on numerous other national platforms.
Since then, he and his brother have made nearly a dozen short films, of which eight (8) are public. Their short films (including two award-winning) have screened at a number of renowned film festivals from the Ebertfest, Pan African Film Festival and the Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival, to the HollyShorts Film Monthly Screening Series. Their short films that accompanied the release of the streetwear brand Social Status x Nike collaboration on the Nike Dunk and Nike Penny sneakers garnered them a Webby People's Voice Award for Best Video Campaign in 2022 and a Webby Award for Best Video Campaign in 2023. Further, in 2023, they were listed in the Forbes 30 under 30 in the Hollywood & Entertainment category, received a pair of awards for New Director of the Year from the London International Awards and the Shots Awards, and were awarded the Ebertfest Golden Thumb Award. In 2023, they also directed several commercial projects, including an Axe commercial (featuring Lil Baby) and a Taco Bell commercial (featuring Davante Adams).
Justen grew up playing the piano and acoustic bass. He also enjoys playing basketball. Justen is currently a junior marketing student who is in the honors program and on a full academic ride at The Ohio State University. Justen's greatest pride and joy is being able to transform ideas into reality via film, art, and music.
JULIEN
TURNER
Throughout his high school years, 26-yr. old Julien Turner was best known as a scholar-athlete, having maintained over a 4.0 gpa while playing and serving as the captain of both his varsity football and track teams. With respect to filmmaking, Julien spent most of his efforts early on assisting, supporting, promoting, and writing for his younger brother Justen and his film company Dreadhead Films. However, Julien soon discovered that he too had a hidden passion for filmmaking, particularly in the areas of screenwriting and directing. In 2016, he decided to join forces with his brother Justen, with aims to take Dreadhead Films to the next level. In November 2017, Julien was thrust into the national spotlight when he decided to do an extra credit biology rap video that went viral. The national exposure landed him on Good Morning America, TMZ, MTV, among other national platforms. He and brother Justen were also recognized that month as the youngest filmmakers to be commissioned to do a short film for Sesame Street for its 2018-2019 season. As a result, they were also featured on CNN and in The NY Times. For more, visit www.dreadheadfilms.com/news-media.
Since then, he and his brother have made nearly a dozen short films, of which eight (8) are public. Their short films (including two award-winning) have screened at a number of renowned film festivals from the Ebertfest, Pan African Film Festival and the Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival, to the HollyShorts Film Monthly Screening Series. Their short films that accompanied the release of the streetwear brand Social Status x Nike collaboration on the Nike Dunk and Nike Penny sneakers garnered them a Webby People's Voice Award for Best Video Campaign in 2022 and a Webby Award for Best Video Campaign in 2023. Further, in 2023, they were listed in the Forbes 30 under 30 in the Hollywood & Entertainment category, received a pair of awards for New Director of the Year from the London International Awards and the Shots Awards, and were awarded the Ebertfest Golden Thumb Award. In 2023, they also directed several commercial projects, including an Axe commercial (featuring Lil Baby) and a Taco Bell commercial (featuring Davante Adams).
Besides sports and filmmaking, Julien also enjoys many other artistic storytelling mediums. He grew up playing piano, violin, and bass. He also paints, raps, and acts. As a result of his athletic and academic performance in high school, Julien received multiple football and full-ride academic offers from colleges across the country as a senior in high school. Julien ultimately decided to attend Morehouse College in Atlanta.
At Morehouse College, Julien earned his B.A. in Business Marketing as the top senior in the concentration while playing football and participating in the honors program at Morehouse. Julien finished his career at Morehouse College as a 3x Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference All Academic, All-Conference Linebacker, and 2019 Morehouse College Football Captain while on a 4-year full Morehouse academic ride. He was also member of the Morehouse College Honors Program, National Society of Leadership & Success, Beta Gamma Sigma society. Further, Julien is a member of the Alpha Rho Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Julien has done some study at the USC School of Cinematic Arts and currently serves as an associate art director at Abercrombie & Fitch. At his very core, Julien is a storyteller. Whether in business, film, art, music, education, or performance, Julien hopes to bring light to the world through his stories and through the stories of others.
The Turner brothers are the sons of Kevin Turner, a professional jazz guitarist and Ohio State jazz professor, and Dr. Cynthia Turner , an Ohio State assistant dean and accounting faculty member at its Fisher College of Business as well as an ordained Christian minister.