A native of Atlanta, Chad Darnell just returned "home" to Atlanta in October 2013 after spending 13 years working in Los Angeles as a casting director, producing and directing his own projects, and developing numerous projects for many established directors and producers.

Filming on his supernatural thriller, R.I.P., is expected to begin filming late March 2015 in Savannah, GA.  Cast and director to be announced soon.

Darnell’s feature film, Birthday Cake (the feature film sequel to Groom’s Cake) premiered on the festival circuit in Summer 2013, winning multiple awards including: Best Comedy Film and Best First Feature Film at Out on Film in Atlanta, Director’s Showcase and Best Comedy Film at Kansas City Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, and Fan Favorite in Palm Springs to name a few.  The film was released by Ariztical Entertainment in May 2014.

Groom’s Cake is the winner of Audience Choice Best Short Film: Macon Film Festival, Best Short Film: Fort Worth International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Best Short Film: Kansas City LGBT Film Festival, Best Narrative Short and Audience Choice Award at CNKY Film Scene Cincinnati, Best Short Film: Out on Film in Atlanta and Best Film Series: Cinema Diverse, Palm Springs.

His web series Project: Phoenix (co-starring Sherilyn Fenn, Susan Blakely, Lee Meriwether and Ian Roberts) currently streams at projectphoenix.tv.