Previous to this Jim emerged as the Winner of of Best Film and Best Use Use of Sound at the Fuji Film Competition for his films Flask Of Doom (1984) and Hand In Hand (1984).

Jim Shields has a broad experience of directing commercials as well as features: since 1995 he has directed various episodes of The Bill for ITV, the pilot of the comedy/drama series Bad Boys, as well as period drama for BBC Scotland. Since 1999 Jim has directed various episodes of Eastenders, including the Hogmany episode where Tiffany dies and subsequently wins the Viewers Favourite Episode in the BBC's nationwide poll of 2000.

Jim Shields has also received the Royal Television Society Award for Best Episode for Dangerfield.

Amongst other Jim has worked with James Garrett & Partners, Picardy Pics and the BBC as well as the BBC Scotland.