I'm A.J. Fitzgerald, a neurodivergent writer-director from Florida. I make stories that are weird, emotional, and deeply personal, anchored in kindness, empathy, and absurd honesty. My work often channels intense internal states, mental illness, and grief into something surreal yet sincere.
My latest short, Blowing Up, is a tragicomedy about grief, mental health, and the absurdity of coping. What began a decade ago as a surreal story about a woman turning 30 and realizing she hasn't truly been alive became something far more personal when my dad got sick. About a year before he passed, just before my own 30th birthday, I poured everything I was feeling into the script. We filmed it that June, and it's dedicated to him.
It's the most personal thing I've ever made, and probably my best work to date: a film about loss, emotional numbness, and finding life again through the act of feeling.
In Loving Memory of
Michael Patrick "The Bear" Fitzgerald
A legendary voice of radio that filled rooms and hearts alike, Michael "The Bear" Fitzgerald spent over four decades bringing stories, laughter, and warmth to the airwaves. From Florida to West Virginia, his booming voice and generous spirit connected communities and inspired countless others.
This film honors his legacy. A celebration of empathy, storytelling, and the enduring power of a voice that never truly fades.