Craig Lamar Brown

Director · Writer · Producer

02 Story

From the east side of Detroit to the big screen.

Craig Lamar Brown was born and raised on the east side of Detroit. He found writing and storytelling in high school, and was introduced to filmmaking in college.

After college he moved to Cincinnati, where he met his wife, Caitlin. Today they're married with five daughters and run their production company together.

As founder of Brown Brown Films, Craig makes inspirational, artistically ambitious films that use music, visuals and story to reveal the character of God, and he trains up the next generation of filmmakers.

Today he owns and leads McCallum, the company he started: one team for branding, software and film, so the people who shape a story also build and ship it.

Next up is More Than Able, a feature he's writing and directing. It's a faith-driven urban drama told through hip-hop, about two childhood best friends from opposite sides of a divided city, and the message one of them brings back after he dies for seventeen minutes.

“Story is what drives humanity.”

Craig Lamar Brown · RAPT Interviews
  • 5Daughters
  • 3Festival laurels
  • 110Minute feature debut
  • 2023Nationwide release

03 Featured Film · Directorial Debut

Between Mercy and Me

  • 2023
  • 1h 50m
  • Musical Drama
  • Filmed in Newport, KY

Two musicians, one city, very different experiences.

A musical drama about unexpected friends Hugo and Mercy searching for hope in a hurting community, and an honest look at race, gentrification and relationships inside the church.

Co-written by Craig and Andrea Summer, who also stars as Mercy. Released nationwide for one night through Fathom Events on June 20, 2023.

Two friends in an empty church sanctuary, one playing guitar in the pews
Two men face off on a brick-lined city street
A worship leader sings into a microphone in front of a small congregation
Andrea Summer as Mercy, resting her chin on her hand in a study lined with books
Two friends talk while walking a wooded trail
  • Best Musical SoundtrackInternational Christian Film & Music Festival2022
  • Best ScreenplayNew York Movie Awards2021
  • Honorable MentionFlorence Film Awards2022
Directed by
Craig Lamar Brown
Written by
Craig Lamar Brown & Andrea Summer
Producers
Chase Crawford, Ashlee Mello
Production
Four by Three Productions · Brown Brown Media · Day Twosday Productions

04 Filmography

The Reel

Roll 012023

Between Mercy and Me

Director · Writer · Executive Producer

Also on screen as Trevor

Watch trailer
Roll 022024

Blackwoods

Actor · “Cameron Jackson”

A Cam Marshall film

Watch trailer
Roll 032020

God’s Fool

Co-Producer · Actor, “Frank”

A David Leo Schultz film · Dove Approved, 12+

Watch trailer
Roll 04In Development

Up Next

More Than Able

Writer · Director · Producer

Faith-driven urban drama and music film · A McCallum production

05 Up Next · In Development

More Than Able

  • Writer · Director · Producer
  • Feature film
  • A McCallum production
Kai and Able at twenty-five, standing on either side of a double yellow line on a rain-soaked city street at night
One city. Two lines.

He met Jesus. He came back living like he was running out of time.

Two best friends raised on hip-hop, from opposite sides of a gang-divided city, chase the dream together until a shooting leaves Able clinically dead for seventeen minutes. On the other side, he meets Jesus. He comes back and gives everything to God, and he preaches like a man who is running out of time.

His urgency starts a movement that reaches Kai, the friend blamed for his death, and the man who pulled the trigger. The film is told documentary-style, with present-day interviews cut against the story as it happened.

Kai, a young man in a black hoodie and backwards cap
KaiThe friend who got the blame
Able, a young man in a black hoodie and silver chains
AbleSeventeen minutes with Jesus

Growing up together

  1. Kai and Able at eight, sharing earbuds in churchAge 8The day they met
  2. Kai and Able at thirteen in a church basement cypherAge 13Church basement cyphers
  3. Able on the mic at an underground battle with Kai behind himAge 17Underground battle rap
  4. Kai and Able at twenty-fiveAge 25Present day
  5. Kai and Able at thirty-fiveAge 35The movement

06 Listen

In his own words.

  • Heard on
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
  • iHeartRadio
  • YouTube
  • Substack
More conversations

08 Work With Me

What we can make together.

  • 01

    Feature & Narrative Film

    Development through delivery on story-first features and shorts.

  • 02

    Faith & Church Media

    Films and stories for churches and ministries that carry the message with craft.

  • 03

    Branded & Commercial Film

    Cinematic brand stories built on character, not just a sales pitch.

  • 04

    Music-Driven Storytelling

    Films where the soundtrack carries the story, as it does in Between Mercy and Me.

  • 05

    AI-Assisted Cinematic Production

    New tools used in service of the story, with a filmmaker's eye on every frame.

  • 06

    Creative Direction & Consulting

    Script, concept and production guidance for teams and emerging filmmakers.

09 Contact

Let’s make something that matters.