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Casting for Film & TV

by Ajo Kacmar

In the press

''Ajo has an innate ability to understand the nuances of a character and match them with the right performers, bringing authenticity and depth to the onscreen portrayal''

Oscar Barby, Director  

Notable Talent

Tara Reid

(Known for ‘American Pie’, cast in ‘The Devil’s Dandruff’)

Shervin Alenabi

(Known for ‘Tehran’, cast in ‘HotHed’)

Isabella Wei

(Known for ‘1899’ and ‘Bridgerton’, cast in ‘High Wire’)

James Cosmo

(Known for ‘Game of Thrones’, cast in ‘Parallel’)

Elizabeth Tan

(Known for ‘Emily in Paris’, cast in ‘High Wire’)

Michelle Collins

(Known for ‘Doctor Who’, cast in ‘The Haunting of Helen’s Bridge’)

Jakub Prachar

(Known for ‘Chasing Fifty’, cast in ‘The Valley’)

Sara Sandeva

(Known for ‘Bad Blood’, cast in ‘Graft’ and ‘The Valley’)

Arifin Putra

(Known for ‘The Raid 2’, cast in ‘Parallel’ and ‘Graft’)

''Ajo was the casting director on my debut feature film. He was very patient with me and his optimistic approach helps ease the stress of making a film!''

Calif Chong, Director  

Casting Work

High Wire

Feature Film, Comedy-Drama
Directed by: Calif Chong
Written by: Calif Chong, Jackie Lam
Starring: Isabella Wei, Elizabeth Tan, Dominic Lam, Nino Fernandez, Jose Palma
Release: 2025

Following the story of Go-wing, a British-Chinese takeaway girl who, discovers her inner strength and artistic bravery when a circus comes to her small English town. As Go-wing navigates the challenges of her dual cultural identity, she finds herself at a crossroads and must decide between conforming to societal expectations or forging her own path towards her dreams. The film pays homage to the first and second generations of Chinese immigrants and their journey to adapt to life in England whilst facing issues of systemic racism and discrimination.

Parallel

Feature Film, Horror-Thriller
Directed by: Matthew Tibbenham
Written By: Nathan Shane Miller
Starring: Arifin Putra, James Cosmo, Hannah Al Rashid, Iskandar Eaton
Release: 2025

The film follows a detective’s journey through the pain of losing his son. As he navigates through a small British community veiled in enigma and fear, a hidden portal to a parallel realm offers a chance at reunion, blurring reality as secrets unfurl.

The Haunting of Helen’s Bridge

Feature Film, Horror-Thriller
Directed by: Stephen Presley
Written by: Stephen Presley, Gemma Esau
Starring: Warren Hicks, Michelle Collins, James Jaysen Bryhan
Release: 2025

Helen's Mountain and its infamous bridge, situated in Asheville, North Carolina, are shrouded in a chilling urban legend. The haunted location has fueled speculation about the events that unfolded in the nearby forest a century ago. The prevailing story tells of Helen, overwhelmed by the loss of her child, taking her own life by tying a rope to the bridge with a noose around her neck. The legend takes a dark turn as Stephen becomes a pawn in the malevolent spirit's game, unknowingly directed towards Helen's tragic path. As the mystery unfolds, the spectral presence adds an eerie layer to the haunted tale of Helen's Bridge.

HotHed

Short Film, Comedy
Directed by: David Spring
Written by: David Spring, Stephen Pitt
Starring: Nimisha Odedra, Victoria Broom, Shervin Alenabi, Alexander Neal
Release: 2020

The fate of a young internet celebrity who becomes the fodder of an energy drink company interested only in increasing their profits. #faustian.

Graft

Feature Film, Thriller
Directed by: Oscar Barby
Written by: Oscar Barby
Starring: Sara Sandeva, Arifin Putra
Release: 2026

A woman escaping sex trafficking is forced to join up with a brutal thug battling his own traumas when they get caught in the middle of a violent gang war in London. In order to survive they’ll have to do something neither is prepared for: trust each other.

The Reaper

Feature Film, Action-Thriller
Directed by: Matt Routledge
Written by: Matt Routledge, Mark Strange
Starring: Mark Strange
Release: 2025

After a legendary hitman is betrayed and brutally killed, he's resurrected by a supernatural force, embarking on an unrelenting rampage of vengeance against the crime organisation responsible for his murder. Teaming up with an elite operative, he channels his unique skill set in a relentless pursuit of justice through the neon-lit metropolis.

About

After exploring the world of entertainment with his social enterprise startup venture, Ajo's decade-long presence in the film industry has seen a natural evolution, with casting taking centre stage as his primary interest since 2022. During this time, he has skillfully assembled talent for various projects, casting notable names such as: Tara Reid (American Pie), Shervin Alenabi (Tehran), James Cosmo (Game of Thrones), Michelle Collins (EastEnders), Arifin Putra (The Raid 2), and Sara Sandeva (Bad Blood). His most recent project is the comedy-drama 'High Wire,' starring Isabella Wei (1899) and Elizabeth Tan (Emily in Paris), a story that pays homage to the resilience of the first and second generations of Chinese immigrants in England, addressing the challenges of adapting to a new life while confronting systemic racism and discrimination.

Due to his extensive international network and connections, Ajo is also well-placed in the Central and Eastern European, and South East Asian markets, offering a valuable advantage to productions seeking the right talent for their projects.

Before diving into the world of casting, Ajo played a pivotal role as Head of Operations at 'Peracals Productions,' an ambitious media company. Leading the Film, Theatre, and Audio divisions, he significantly contributed to a value of around £5M.

Amid the pandemic, Ajo showcased his versatility by shifting gears to film distribution and sales in Central-Eastern Europe and South-East Asia, delving into the world of film financing. Notably, he led a co-financing effort of $32M for two feature films, including the franchise project 'Resident Evil: Welcome to Racoon City.'

Whilst Ajo is open to every genre, his deep commitment to social impact directs his efforts towards projects that grapple with critical societal issues. A notable example is his upcoming venture — an exploration into the life story of scientist Colin Campbell and his influential work 'The China Study', with the screenplay written by Oscar winner David S. Ward. 

Ajo's profound experience and expertise in the film industry, coupled with his extensive international network, make him a valuable partner for local and international film, TV, or commercial productions. Get in touch to bring your vision to life!

Testimonials

“Ajo was the casting director on my debut feature film. He was very patient with me and his optimistic approach helps ease the stress of making a film! He also found me very good options for each character and was able to work in a tight timeframe. He is a good collaborator who listens and would take feedback with a great attitude. The casting on my film was not an easy one as it requires very diverse cast but he was able to work with me to make it happened!”

Calif Chong, Writer / Director

“I had the pleasure of working with Ajo Kacmar on the feature film "Parallel," which I directed and produced. Ajo demonstrated exceptional skills in assembling our cast, including securing the talented actor James Cosmo (Game of Thrones, Braveheart, Highlander), liaising with talent, and securing casting sessions. His dedication to finding the right talent and his ability to connect with actors, agents, and managers made a significant impact on the project's success. Ajo is a true professional in the field of casting, and I would highly recommend him for any production seeking top-tier casting expertise. Will definitely work with again on my next film.”

Matthew Tibbenham, Writer / Director

“I highly recommend Ajo Kacmar for his exceptional talent and expertise. His commitment to finding the perfect actors for each role in my feature film, Graft, was truly commendable and his balancing of that commitment with the understanding of the business of film was astounding. Ajo has an innate ability to understand the nuances of a character and match them with the right performers, bringing authenticity and depth to the onscreen portrayal.

Ajo’s attention to detail and meticulous casting process ensured that every actor selected was not only talented but also a perfect fit for the role and the film. Working with Ajo guaranteed a casting process that was efficient, professional, and ultimately resulted in a stellar ensemble cast. I have personally witnessed his dedication and passion, and I recommend Ajo Kacmar for any film project seeking outstanding casting direction.”

Oscar Barby, Writer / Director