Casting for Film, TV & Commercials
by Ajo Kacmar
In the press
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![Variety article for Driver, starring Dafne Keen and Aidan Gillen, casting by IO Casting]()
Casting: 'Driver' as seen on Variety
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![Variety article for David Blair's Stray, starring Aaron McVeigh, Emily Carey, Paul Anderson and Jessica Plummer, casting by IO Casting]()
Casting: 'Stray' as seen on Variety
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![Variety article for biopic Dr Campbell, written and directed by academy-winner David S Ward, casting by IO Casting]()
Production: 'Dr Campbell' as seen on Variety
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![Hollywood Report article for High Wire, premiered at BFI London Film Festival 2025, starring Isabella Wei, casting by IO Casting]()
Casting & Production: 'High Wire' as seen on Hollywood Reporter
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![Variety article for High Wire, premiered at BFI London Film Festival 2025, starring Isabella Wei, casting by IO Casting]()
Casting: 'High Wire' as seen on Variety
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![Variety Article for Parallel (Follow the Dark), starring Arifin Putra and James Cosmo, casting by IO Casting]()
Casting: 'Parallel' as seen on Variety
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![Variety Article for Inlfuence!, starring Ivanna Lynch, PR by IO Casting]()
PR: 'Influenced!' as seen on Variety
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![Variety article for Haunting of Helen's Bridge, starring Michelle Collins, casting by IO Casting]()
Casting: 'The Haunting of Helen's Bridge' as seen on Variety
''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
Dafne Keen
(Known for ‘Logan’, cast in ‘Driver’)
Aidan Gillen
(Known for ‘Game of Thrones’, cast in ‘Driver’)
Jessie Mei Li
(Known for ‘Shadow and Bone’ and ‘Havoc’, cast in ‘The Screen’)
Emily Carey
(Known for ‘Geek Girl’ and ‘House of the Dragon’, cast in ‘Stray’)
Isabella Wei
(Known for ‘1899’ and ‘Bridgerton’, cast in ‘High Wire’)
James Cosmo
(Known for ‘Game of Thrones’, cast in ‘Parallel’)
Aaron McVeigh
(Known for ‘Dept. Q’, cast in ‘Stray’)
Shervin Alenabi
(Known for ‘Tehran’, cast in ‘HotHed’)
Tara Reid
(Known for ‘American Pie’, cast in ‘The Devil’s Dandruff’)
''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-Family
Directed by: Calif Chong
Written by: Calif Chong, Jackie Lam
Starring: Isabella Wei, Elizabeth Tan, Dominic Lam, Nino Fernandez, Jose Palma
Release: 2026
A British-Chinese takeaway girl discovers artistic bravery and the freedom in forging her own path when a circus comes to her small English town. 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.
Driver
Feature Film, Crime-Romance-Thriller
Directed by: Patrick Ireland
Written by: Patrick Ireland, Jessica Romagnoli
Starring: Dafne Keen, Aidan Gillen
Release: 2027
A sexually-traumatised ex-con working as a driver for his pimp former cellmate forms an unlikely bond with a young prostitute, as they both try to escape the cycle of poverty, crime, and violence.
Stray
Feature Film, Thriller
Directed by: David Blair
Written by: Darren James King
Starring: Aaron McVeigh, Emily Carey
Release: 2027
A fatherless teenager is taken under the wing of the violent and manipulative local top-dog on his new estate, starting a struggle between his family, benevolent locals and this dangerous criminal for the boy's soul.
Invisible
Feature Film, Drama
Directed by: Robert Cavanah
Written By: Robert Cavanah
Starring: TBC
Release: 2027
A recluse running from his past and a runaway teen chasing her future form an unlikely bond that forces them to confront what they fear most.
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: 2026
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: 2027
A cursed bridge lures a man into a deadly game, as the spirit of a woman who hanged herself there begins pulling him towards the same fate.
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.
The Screen
Short, True Story Drama
Directed by: Hugo Andre
Written By: Hugo Andre
Starring: Louis Kirwan, Jessie Mei Li, Josh Whitehouse, Tomas Mastalir
Release: 2027
13-year-old Max is lured into an online encounter that spirals into a ruthless extortion scheme, forcing him to choose between silence, shame, and survival as the clock ticks toward a life-altering deadline.
About
Ajo Kacmar is a London-based casting director and producer, and the founder of IO Casting. He casts feature films, TV and commercials, with a network spanning the UK, Central and Eastern Europe and South East Asia.
His recent work includes casting the feature High Wire, which premiered at the BFI London Film Festival 2025, starring Isabella Wei (Bridgerton). He is currently casting director on David Blair’s thriller Stray, attaching Emily Carey (Geek Girl, House of the Dragon) and Aaron McVeigh (Dept. Q), as well as the romantic crime thriller Driver, starring Dafne Keen (Logan, Deadpool & Wolverine) and Aidan Gillen (Game of Thrones).
Ajo has also cast talent including Jessie Mei Li, Tara Reid, James Cosmo, Shervin Alenabi, Michelle Collins, Arifin Putra, Sara Sandeva, and Jakub Prachar. His work ranges from established names to street casting and casting children, and he works closely with producers from an early stage, attaching talent to help position films for financing and international sales.
Ajo works across both casting and production, contributing to project development, talent attachment, and financing strategy. His experience includes involvement in international co-financing structures totalling over $32M, including studio-backed franchise projects.
Prior to focusing on casting, Ajo worked in production and operations, including as Head of Operations at Peracals Productions, overseeing development across film, theatre and audio.
He is particularly drawn to character-driven stories with a strong social dimension. Current projects include a feature based on the life and work of scientist Dr T. Colin Campbell, written by Academy Award winner David S. Ward (The Sting, Sleepless in Seattle); Invisible, a drama about homelessness developed in partnership with the charity Crisis; and Tell Her Hi, the true story of a British-Somali woman whose dream of becoming a pilot is interrupted by Multiple Sclerosis.
Testimonials
“I’ve been working with Ajo for over a year now on casting an independent feature film. Ajo’s dedication to the project is next to none, and his support & commitment across the entire casting process has been sublime. His ability to expertly liaise with high-profile cast’s representation - negotiate deals, facilitate auditions & readings - is superb. Professional, hard-working, creative, supportive and kind.”
Patrick Ireland, Award-Winning Writer / Director and Producer at ITV
“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 at Antagonist Studios