After writing for fun periodically throughout most of his life, Shelton R. Johnson started taking writing seriously in 2014 after the birth of his son. However, after publishing four novels, including a trilogy of comedies, Johnson found that his target audience preferred film over books. So in 2017 he adapted his first novel, Thankful for My Family into a screenplay. Despite receiving high praises in script reviews, he was unable to sell the screenplay. In 2019 he decided to produce and direct the feature film himself, and with over 40 reviews it averaged a 4-star rating on Amazon before being picked up by AppleTV and Tubi. Since his debut film, Johnson has been solely focused on improving as a filmmaker. In 2020 he wrote and directed three short films and won the Atlanta Comedy Film Festival for Best Overall Screenplay. In 2021, Johnson started his production company, Summit’s Creek Studios, and directed two more short films. The Legend of Walkin’ Willie was the first. It went on to receive multiple awards in New Mexico, New York, and even won the 2022 Black Film Festival of New Orleans for Best Short Film.

Johnson is now touring 16 cities with his highly anticipated 2^nd feature film, Almost An Angel. It’s a story about a man who lived a selfish life, and is given 24 hours to show charity, empathy, and forgiveness in order to get into heaven. The screenplay for this film finished as a semi-finalist at the 2022 Screenplay Festival in Sherman Oaks, CA and a quarter-finalist at the 2023 International Comedy Film Festival in Boston, MA. When asked about Almost An Angel, Johnson said, “I’m excited to share this movie because it delivers the timely message of selflessness, along with being an authentically funny movie that the entire family can enjoy.”   

Shelton R. Johnson is a proud Norfolk, Virginia native and JMU graduate. He likes to spend most of his free time with his wife and children at their home in Southern Maryland. His hobbies include reading, smoking meats, fishing, and playing Dominos (Bones) with his son.