Welcome to Q Stories - a multimedia production company.


Since 1998, James ‘Q’ Martin has helped outdoor brands, artists and athletes share their stories with audiences around the world. Now, Q Stories is not one individual but a team of curious professionals who bring unique and diverse skills to our projects. We believe that inside each of us is a wild story worth sharing, and telling around the proverbial campfire of life. 

Rooted in the outdoor industry, Q Stories crafts authentic, narrative-driven media designed for global impact. We gravitate toward the complex environmental and social issues that we face as a global community. With tenacity for seeking the ‘why’ in every narrative, coupled with our diverse experience and passion for social change, we specialize in bringing unique stories to life. 

Whether it's navigating complex events in the streets of Haiti or filming on sheer rock face in Patagonia — from project concept, to production,  to global distribution — we are here to tell the story behind your “Why.”

Team

  • James 'Q' Martin

    Creative Director - Founder

    Voted, “Mr Play your position” by his 6th grade soccer coach, he has always had a knack for handling a lot of positions on the field at an early age. Curious by nature, photography, filmmaking, location scouting and field producing all became natural jobs for the man who can wear many hats but who has learned that its easier to only wear one at a time. If Q is not on location shooting photos or video you can find him searching for what's around the corner- either exploring, mountain biking or pushing his personal limits on rock faces internationally.

  • Chris Cresci

    Filmmaker

    An experienced shooter and editor, he works to bring a cinematic aesthetic to the nonfiction form - telling stories of real people that stick with audiences, and honor their subjects. He has worked with brands like Airbnb and The Home Depot, and his work has been featured on Vimeo Staff Picks, Short of the Week, The Atlantic, and at film festivals around the world. He is a semi-professional finger drummer, font enthusiast, and not a huge fan of pickles.

  • Tom Attwater

    Filmmaker

    Tom is a multi-talented artist who works as a film producer, director, cinematographer, editor, and still photographer. He was born in Wichita, Kansas and now resides in Missoula, Montana. He has a background in outdoor education, having worked as a backcountry instructor and river guide. In 2016, he received a BFA in Media Arts and Digital Video Production from the University of Montana. If Tom is not crushing out insanely long hours editing his next independent documentary he can be found playing fetch with his dogs or taking a break from filmmaking with his wife Molly.

  • Nelson Klein

    Location Sound / AC

    Nelson is Q Stories production Swiss Army knife. An extremely talented photographer, audio tech and camera operator, he knows the ins and outs of production. A true ace-in-the-hole on the most challenging jobs. In Nelson’s spare time he can be found paddling the Grand Canyon, ripping up finger cracks, enjoying a good novel on his rest day or heading offline on “Big Momma”, his 2003 Sprinter and residence.

  • Sheila Smithson

    Producer / Logistics - Partner

    “There is no better job in the world than working with my boys.” MommaQ understands the realities of raising three rambunctious boys and also what it takes to book flights for 12 folks to fly around the world. When she is not navigating the logistics of the company, you can find her hiking near her home in Oregon or finding solace in her abundant garden.

  • Phillip Martin

    Marketing - Partner

    Phillip is our managing partner and resident marketing guru. Prior to this role he has served as Vice President of multiple community based non-profits and has led sales and marketing efforts across several Fortune 100 companies. When away from his phone, he can be found trail running through the Southwest preparing for his next ultramarathon. When not crushing out long days of productions, he can be found taking long road trips, taking home the big dollars in Vegas and reading a book a week.

We Are Proud To Work With:

Film Awards

Sheri / Alpacka Rafts

  • Best Spirit of Adventure Award - Silver
    Sheffield Adventure Film Festival 2023

  • Audience Choice Award
    Nederland International Film Festival 2022

  • Best of Festival
    Stories Worth Telling Festival 2022

  • Finalist
    Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival & World Tour 2022

Finding Hetch Hetchy / Restore Hetch Hetchy

  • Vimeo Staff Pick
    2022

Wild Climate / WildClimate.org

  • Jury’s Award
    Tulum World Environmental Film Festival 2022

Paving Tundra / Passion Project

  • Environmental Film Award
    Waterwalker Film Fest 2022

  • Vimeo Staff Pick
    2021

Unshaken / Northern Arizona Volunteer Medical Corps

  • EXCELLENCE in Docu-drama Short
    Docs Without Borders Film Festival 2021

Wild Legacy / Tompkins Conservation

  • Vimeo Staff Pick
    2018

  • Best Conservation Hero Film
    New York WILD Film Festival 2017

  • Honorable Mention
    Wild and Scenic Film Festival 2017

  • Best Environmental Film
    Adventure Film Festival 2016

Mile for Mile / Patagonia

  • People's Choice & Best Film
    Aysen Mountain Film Festival

Drawn / Jeremy Collins

  • Best Adventure Film
    Adventure Film Festival 2015

  • Best Script
    Bilbao Mendi Film Festival

  • Creative Excellence
    5 Point Film Festival

Power in the Pristine / Rios Libres

  • Best Documentary Film
    Sedona Film Festival 2011