"Never wait for permission." - Arlin Godwin
Arlin Godwin is a Washington, DC-based filmmaker, writer, graphic designer, video editor, and electronic music artist whose life and career are defined by a passion for multi-disciplinary creation.
Heavily influenced by classical music in his youth, as well as iconic artists like The Beatles, Miles Davis, Prince, and Trent Reznor, Godwin developed a natural ability to play music by ear from early childhood.
Heavily influenced by classical music in his youth, as well as iconic artists like The Beatles, Miles Davis, Prince, and Trent Reznor, Godwin developed a natural ability to play music by ear from early childhood.
Godwin’s broadcast career began at just 14 years old, when he earned his FCC broadcast license and began working at a local FM radio station in his hometown of Pensacola, Florida. It was there that he taught himself to use studio production gear to record original tracks, sparking a lifelong recording obsession.
In 1985, Godwin moved to Washington, DC, and joined Atlantic Video, advancing from an entry-level position to Senior Designer and Art Director.
Over a two-decade career in broadcast television, he managed large creative teams, storyboarded video projects, directed commercials, and worked hands-on with camera and lighting design.
His extensive client roster included major networks such as ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, MTV, HBO, and Comedy Central, alongside design work for three U.S. Presidential campaigns. During this time, he also moonlighted as a video editor for music legends Donna Summer and George Clinton.
In 2001, he transitioned to WJLA ABC 7 where he worked as a broadcast designer for nearly 25 years.
Over a two-decade career in broadcast television, he managed large creative teams, storyboarded video projects, directed commercials, and worked hands-on with camera and lighting design.
His extensive client roster included major networks such as ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, MTV, HBO, and Comedy Central, alongside design work for three U.S. Presidential campaigns. During this time, he also moonlighted as a video editor for music legends Donna Summer and George Clinton.
In 2001, he transitioned to WJLA ABC 7 where he worked as a broadcast designer for nearly 25 years.
As an electronic music artist, Godwin signed a record deal with Ingrooves in 2000 and a licensing deal with Nashville’s Song & Film in 2013.
He has been nominated 22 times by the Washington Area Music Association, winning twice in the Electronica category. His live performance highlights include playing before a crowd of 225,000 people at the 2004 DC Pride Festival.
Today, his extensive music catalog is available worldwide across virtually all streaming platforms.
Driven by a love for visual storytelling, Godwin expanded into filmmaking, handling the writing, directing, editing, and scoring for his projects.
His debut short film, The Man in 813 (2010), was produced entirely in his apartment, selected out of 1,200 submissions for the 2011 DC Shorts International Film Festival, and won Outstanding Local Film.
His subsequent work includes the thriller Violent True Believer (2024), an official selection and award winner at the Baltimore New Media and Maryland International film festivals.
Working with Writer-Producer Trevor Taylor, and actors Joseph Grothm Lina Romero, Andrew Stonem Chrisse Soukai and Simon Jackson--his Lynchian short film, Stop Taking Pictures (2025), has screened at nearly 100 international festivals and secured 17 awards.
Today, Godwin continues to write, record, and film daily from his home studio in Washington, DC, constantly fueling a lifelong dedication to the creative arts.