Writer / Director / Actor
John Lee Taggart
Writer, director and actor from the North East of England. BAFTA Connect member since 2023.
John Lee Taggart is a writer, director, and actor from the North East of England, who first came into prominence with his debut short film Invisible Manners (2021) with Billy Boyd, Isy Suttie and Weruche Opia, which was an official selection at the BIFA qualifying North East International Film Festival 2022 and received an Honourable Mention at the Montreal International Animation Film Festival 2022.
In 2023 John was selected for BAFTA Connect membership as a Writer/Director and went on to release A Rare Find, a comedic awareness piece featuring Robert Webb and Jack Robertson, which won Gold at the Smiley Charity Film Awards - the "Oscars of the third sector" and biggest cause-based film event in the world. That same year he also directed the music video Executive Outcome (Remix) for Badger and extnddntwrk (Andrew Fearn of Sleaford Mods), which screened at the BIFA qualifying Sunderland Shorts Film Festival 2023.
In 2024 John collaborated with DOP Craig Crouchman on the dark comedy The North Beasts, which premiered at the Tees Valley International Film Festival 2024, ultimately winning Best Comedy, and Hadid and I, a dramedy concept short which premiered at Sunderland Shorts Film Festival 2025, where it took home the Audience Choice Award and received widespread promotion on BBC News.
Films
Writer / Director / Performer
Monologue
Grim Up North2025
A narrative poem exploring the negative stereotypes surrounding the North East of England, and the North more broadly.
Writer / Director / "Counsellor"
Short film
Hadid and I2025
A dramedy following recently bereaved Rich Marwood as he contends with the struggles of life without his beloved wife.
Writer / Performer
Monologue
My Dad Shagged a Flag2025
A creative reflection on the division of the charged times we live in, and what it does to families and friendships.
Writer / Director / "Alpha Podcaster" (VO)
Short film
The North Beasts2024
A man struggling with his 30s has his bubble popped by an incompetent criminal duo convinced he is somebody else entirely.
Writer / Director / Featuring
Awareness film
A Rare Find2023
A comedy short with a difference, raising awareness of newborn screening and the UK heel prick test.
Writer / Director
Animation
Invisible Manners (Billy Boyd Read-Through)2023
The animated short read in full by Billy Boyd alone, rather than by the original ensemble.
