Courtney Arlett is an Atlanta-based writer, director, producer, actress, songwriter and published author whose creative journey spans church, theater, music, film and literature. An award-winning performer, she has steadily expanded her career behind the camera, building a body of work centered on bold characters, complicated relationships and stories that reflect Black life with honesty and imagination.

Her directing credits include Preaching Lies, For What It’s Worth and the romantic comedy Friend Zone, which she also co-wrote and executive produced. She has also produced projects including Mya’s House and founded The Lockett Media, an Atlanta production company focused on character-driven stories across film, television and literature.

Courtney’s latest project, Crimson Mirage, marks her move into vertical storytelling. She wrote, directed and produced the 11-minute supernatural microdrama, which follows a detective and scientist working to dismantle a network that harvests human energy. The series was selected for the American Black Film Festival’s inaugural 9:16 Microdrama Project Showcase, created to amplify vertical series from creators of color.