Directing

Matty Rich

Born and raised in the Red Hook housing projects in Brooklyn, NY, Matty Rich, became highly regarded as the pioneer of Black Filmmakers. Rich made his way onto the Hollywood scene in the early 90's. He gained major recognition as, 19 year-old acclaimed writer/director/producer with his award winning film, "Straight out of Brooklyn". After winning the Sundance Film Festival Award, Samuel Goldwyn Films distributed the movie. The film would go on to sweep the award season winning the prestigious Independent Spirit Award, the NAACP Image Award, The CEBA Award, The Big Apple Award, The Producer's Guild's "Most Promising Film Producer" award and the Nova Award. The movie, which was made for a mere $77,000, and became a worldwide box office success and a favorite that continues to play on television to this day! Matty then landed a three-picture movie deal with Tri Star studios under the helm of studio chief Mike Medavoy. While at Tri Star, Matty developed the First Black Organize Crime family film "Forty Theives" and "Sunset Park" with stars such as Danny and others. Next, Matty was headed for Disney studios where he was given a three picture deal from studio chief Jeffrey Katzenberg. Matty soon directed the summer splash movie, The Inkwell! for Touchstone Pictures. The star studded cast members of the Inkwell included Jada Pinkett-Smith, Larenz Tate, Joe Morton, Morris Chestnut and many other notable names. The Inkwell was made for on a modest $4 million budget and became a summer splash hit in the U.S box office.