Josh recently directed the docufiction feature film FEMALE HUMAN ANIMAL, "a #MeToo thriller for female surrealists set in the real life art-world", funded by Arts Council England, which Little White Lies called "Unnerving, riveting and mesmerising"  and The Observer called "A Triumph." Starring and written in conversation with the novelist Chloe Aridjis, it features the work of surrealist Leonora Carrington, was part shot at the Tate, and was exec produced by Jacqui Davies. It premiered at Sheffield Doc/Fest, was screened at twenty cinemas around the UK and is released globally by online platform MUBI.

Previous features include the acclaimed documentary feature THE NEW MAN, and the ethnic indie comedy THE INFIDEL (Tribeca, Turin Film Festivals), scripted by David Baddiel and starring Omid Djalili, Richard Schiff, Archie Panjabi & Miranda Hart, which was distributed in 20 territories. His debut feature was SONG OF SONGS, a religious psychodrama written with Jay Basu and starring Natalie Press (award-winning at Edinburgh, London festivals, Offical Selection Rotterdam and BIFA nominated.)  

Josh also co-wrote Hollywood romcom ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME starring Sarah Jessica Parker, and has directed talent such as John Malkovich, Tom Hiddleston, David Tennant, Sarah Kestelman and Michelle Dockery, and collaborated with artist Martin Creed among others. His short films EX MEMORIA and RUFUS STONE were Wellcome and EHRC funded, and he also directs commercials for Independent.

His prior teaching, mentoring, training and lab work has included London Film School, Film London, Guardian Masterclasses, Arista, and Met Film School. He works as a script editor, is a voting member of BAFTA and has sat on panels and juries such as the BIFAs, Film London’s microwave, UKJF’s Screenwriting Award and UKJF's Pears Fund.

  
ACCLAIM:

THE NEW MAN:
"Very very moving and revealing.. Told with great honesty and love."

Mark Kermode, BBC5

THE INFIDEL:
“Appignanesi jumps, in one beautifully executed move, to join the front rank of new British directors. His timing is perfect, his feel for the rhythm of moral action is bracing.”
Andrew O’Hagan, THE EVENING STANDARD

“Startlingly, for this second project, Appignanesi shifts gear for something more confrontational and taboo-busting... a broad comedy that gleefully and repeatedly stamps on the tender toes of liberal correctness.”
Peter Bradshaw, THE GUARDIAN

SONG OF SONGS:
"A cinematic milestone… a challenging, unashamedly intellectual rigour to it. In both style and content, the film reveals a distinctive and bold new voice in British cinema."
Jason Solomons, THE OBSERVER

"A daringly original debut."
Wendy Ide, THE TIMES

"A powerful and confident work and shows that Appignanesi is seriously committed to cultivating a real cinematic language."
Peter Bradshaw, THE GUARDIAN

UK Agent: Matthew Bates at Sayle Screen
US Agent: Abram Nalibotsky at Verve