I am DeSean Motley better known as DMOT, and I am the founder and director of Dmot Productions, a small Production Company built from my overwhelming passion for storytelling and cinema. Film has been the central thread of my life for the past five years, a commitment that grew out of my studies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where I earned my degree in Narrative Filmmaking in 2023. While there, I spent two years as a programmer for the UAB Films Ablaze Festival and three years as the Creative Director of the Black Focus Film Festival, roles that gave me invaluable experience in curating powerful stories and building community around film. I was honored to also have my own projects selected multiple times at both festivals, which helped solidify my path as a filmmaker whose work is both creative and impactful. Beyond my work in college, I also spent three years training high school students and younger through a filmmaking camp sponsored by Fujifilm. In that role, I introduced youth to the fundamentals of directing, cinematography, and storytelling, guiding them through hands-on exercises that gave them the tools to create their own short films. Teaching not only gave me the chance to help the next generation of filmmakers find their voice, but it also deepened my own skills by forcing me to break down and re-examine the craft from the ground up. This mentorship was where I truly got my start as a filmmaker, and it continues to influence the collaborative and supportive approach I bring to every project.

Over time, I have trained across nearly every corner of production — directing, cinematography, grip and lighting, color grading, storyboarding, sound, and VFX. I love working on short films and advertisements, and my approach is always rooted in blending artistry with technical precision. I shoot primarily on the Blackmagic 6K cinema system paired with professional-grade cinema lenses, supported by a complete arsenal of industry-standard gear. This setup allows me to produce visuals that meet the demands of both the festival circuit and commercial clients, whether I am leading a small, nimble crew or working on larger-scale productions. My goal is always the same: to craft images that look just as polished as they feel powerful.

My career has also grown through opportunities to collaborate on major projects and campaigns that brought Birmingham’s stories to bigger stages. I served as Director of Photography for "5 Lil’ Penguins", a television series set for release on Amazon Prime and other streaming platforms. I was a camera operator for the World Games and also worked as a DP for short documentaries produced around the Games, with my footage featured in official promotional reels and transitions. Beyond that, I have contributed to video projects for the Mayor of Birmingham and the USFL, expanding my portfolio of professional and civic storytelling. These experiences have taught me not just the technical demands of large-scale work, but the value of versatility, collaboration, and attention to detail.

My films have been recognized across a wide range of festivals, and these honors continue to fuel my drive to create. I was awarded Best Cinematography, Best Acting, and Best Overall (Sidewalk 48hr Scramble) at the 2024 + 2025 Sidewalk Film Festival, and I have collected WINS at festivals including the Fresh Black Film Festival, Medusa Film Festival, Magic Silver Screen, and Cult Movies International Film Festival. Alongside these wins, my projects have been official selections at ReFraming Cinema, the International Freedom Film Festival, Greenwood, and Detroit Black Film Festival, among others. Each selection or award is not just a personal milestone but also a reminder of the importance of telling stories that connect with audiences. Through Dmot Productions, I remain dedicated to pushing my craft forward, combining creativity, technical mastery, and professional-grade resources to deliver films and projects that are Timeless.

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Notable Projects

Director of Photography – "5 Lil’ Penguins" (Amazon Prime series)

Camera Operator & DP – The World Games (promotional reels, transitions, short documentaries)

Video Campaigns – Mayor of Birmingham

Video Content – USFL

Festival Selections & Awards

Sidewalk Film Festival (2024, 2025) – 2024 Best Cinematography, Best Acting, Best Overall; 2025 Official Selection

Fresh Black Film Festival (2024) – Winner

Medusa Film Festival (2025) – Best Short

Magic Silver Screen Film Festival (2025) – Best Short

Cult Movies International Film Festival (2025) – Best Short Indie Film

UAB Films Ablaze (2020, 2021, 2023)

Black Focus Film Festival (2020, 2022, 2023)

ReFraming Cinema Film Festival (2025)

International Freedom Film Festival (2025)

Greenwood Film Festival (2025)

Detroit Black Film Festival (2025)​​​​