Joel Amir Damascus
BIO
Joel Amir Damascus — President & CEO of Amir Damascus Entertainment LLC — is a film producer, writer, and multimedia entrepreneur whose career spans performance, independent film production, and emerging media technologies. Beginning his journey as a child performer in New York City, his early experiences in stand-up comedy—mentored by his mother, director/writer Lori Kelly-Bailey—laid a solid foundation in storytelling and stagecraft that continues to reflect in his work behind the camera. Joel goes Artistically with film endeavors and writing projects as Amir Damascus in honor of his part Syrian heritage. Leaving Aleppo, Syria during WWII, his great grandmother immigrated with her baby daughter (his grandmother) to Italy. Ultimately, his grandmother immigrated to the United States as a young adult. Estranged from his father, Joel transformed his birth name Joel Joseph Plue in 2026 to Joel Amir Damascus which translates to Joel 'Prince from Damascus'.
IMDB:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3031744/
Early Career and Performance
Joel’s professional career kicked off at age nine when he performed his mother’s comedy routines for adult audiences. His talent quickly propelled him into the New York comedy circuit, where he appeared at renowned venues like Caroline's, Catch a Rising Star, and NY Comedy Club. From ages nine to thirteen, he toured with Comic Relief 8 and became a national spokesman and youth ambassador for the Arthritis Foundation. In response to the tragic events of September 11, Amir and his mother launched the “Focus on Freedom” grassroots benefit tour, traveling from New York to Florida in a 2001 Ford Focus wagon to raise funds and awareness for the families of fallen first responders; this effort received prominent coverage on MTV’s TRL.
New York Time Article (1998)
https://www.nytimes.com/1998/07/05/nyregion/at-11-stand-up-comic-hones-his-delivery.html
Film Production and Writing
As Joel transitioned into feature film production, he collaborated extensively with Lori Kelly-Bailey as a writer, producer, and actor. Their co-written screenplay, Silent But Deadly (2008; released in 2011), showcased notable talents like Jason Mewes, William Sadler, and Jordan Prentice. In 2010, Amir secured his first six-figure production investment for Mineville, a period drama about the rise and decline of iron ore mining in Upstate New York; the film starred Paul Sorvino and William Sadler and was co-executive produced by Jason Mewes.
PBS Interview (2019)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUVTiFePBP0
Joel’s production credits include a diverse array of independent shorts and features across various genres. In 2018, he produced Garrow, a true-crime feature about Robert Garrow that received substantial regional attention and sold-out screenings throughout the North Country. His more recent work features the short The Red Death—an adaptation of Poe’s Masque of the Red Death—and the feature A Roadhouse Coup, which dramatically explores Prohibition-era crime and the life of Eva Coo.
Amir Damascus Entertainment
As the President and CEO of Amir Damascus Entertainment, Joel leads a boutique multimedia company focused on producing creative film and animation projects, in addition to commercial ventures and publishing initiatives. The company portfolio includes regional commercial work (such as Five Star Subaru and North Road Soap), independent features currently in development, and recent publishing projects like Jacob and the Gnome. Amir is actively working on multiple full-length features expected to begin production in spring 2027, including I’m Sorry I Was Drunk (featuring Bulent Gurcan) and Gilded, a contemporary dark romantic fable exploring themes of power, desire, and consequence.
Industry & Technical Expertise
Joel combines his creative storytelling with technical expertise, leveraging his background as a Generative AI Engineer to incorporate AI and VFX workflows that enhance production, post-production, and creative development processes. This unique skill set advances Amir Damascus Entertainment's approach to cost-effective, tech-forward storytelling and commercial production, particularly in the rapidly evolving film landscape of Otsego.
Healthcare Leadership & Community Work
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Joel temporarily shifted his focus to healthcare operations, managing Woodside Hall, an adult care facility located in Cooperstown. Under his guidance, the facility completed its first pandemic year without a single resident COVID case—an achievement highlighted in local coverage by the Freeman’s Journal in March 2021. This experience honed Amir’s operational and crisis management abilities, further shaping his collaborative leadership style.
News Article (2021)
https://www.allotsego.com/at-woodside-hall-not-one-covid-case-in-year/
Education
Joel holds a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management through Ashworth College, along with a Graduate Certificate in the same discipline through Columbia Southern University. Presently, pursuing his MSHA through Columbia Southern University to complete his studies.
Approach & Vision
Joel Damascus uniquely blends a producer’s pragmatism with a storyteller’s thirst for innovative ideas. His work is anchored in character-driven and regional stories, coupled with a willingness to merge practical production solutions with imaginative, genre-bending narratives. He is committed to championing local crews and talent while seeking festival visibility and commercial partnerships that expand audience reach.
A re-enhanced image of Joel's great grandmother Amina next to him with a Hollywood noir-aesthetic.