Mason Richards
Birth placeGuyana
Alma materVanderbilt University (BS, BA)
California Institute of the Arts (MFA)
OccupationFilm director, screenwriter
Notable worksThe Seawall (2011)

Mason Richards is a Guyanese-American filmmaker and professor. He is known for his work in narrative film, community-based media production and arts education.[1][2][3]

Early life and education

Richards was born in Guyana, South America, and emigrated to Brooklyn, New York, with his family at the age of seven.[1][4] He holds a Bachelor of Science in Human & Organizational Development and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Vanderbilt University.[3] He earned his Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Film Directing from the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), graduating magna cum laude.[citation needed]

Career in film

Richards’ thesis film, The Seawall, shot on location in Guyana, was selected for screening at the Cannes Film Festival (2011),[5] the Havana International Film Festival (2014).[citation needed] He has worked at CBS News as a broadcast associate and in sales and marketing at Paramount Pictures.[3] As of 2023, he was in pre-production for the feature-length version of The Seawall.[6][7]

He co-founded The A.M. Creative Agency, a production house based in Los Angeles.[2][8]

Academic career

Richards serves as adjunct faculty at Emerson College Los Angeles where he teaches filmmaking, directing, and screenwriting.[2][9] He has also held seasonal appointments as a Filmmaker-in-Residence at Ithaca College.[9]

He led a screenwriting masterclass Trinidad.[2]

Community engagement

Richards has been involved in community outreach and arts education programs, collaborating with organizations including BAFTA-LA, Actors4Autism, and The Young Storytellers Foundation to provide media production workshops for underrepresented communities.[10]

Filmography

  • The Seawall (2011) – Writer/Director[7]
  • Hold Love Strong (in development)[11]

References

  1. ^ "Guyanese-born filmmaker wants to tell the world about Guyana's rich cultural heritage". stabroeknews. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  2. ^ Bachoo, Ryan (2024-04-30). "Forward Ever Foundation hosts Screenwriting Masterclass". guardian.co.tt. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  3. ^ "BCCAC – Mason Richards". vanderbilt. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  4. ^ "High school dropout turns film director - fulfils life-long dream - Guyana Chronicle". guyanachronicle.com. 2012-07-15. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  5. ^ "Film: Beyond The Seawall". Vanderbilt University. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  6. ^ Dhanraj, Joanna (2016-05-28). "Mason Richards readies to make The Seawall feature length film". Stabroek News. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  7. ^ "Creative Journey". Vanderbilt University. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  8. ^ Clarke, Tangerine (2023-10-20). "Guyanese-born filmmaker launches The A.M Creative Agency in Los Angeles – Caribbean Life". www.caribbeanlife.com. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  9. ^ Clarke, Tangerine (2023-04-13). "Guyanese filmmaker, Mason Richards' 'The Seawall' streams on Amazon Prime – Caribbean Life". www.caribbeanlife.com. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  10. ^ "Women Do Men". WUTI goes IdyllWILD. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  11. ^ "Talent Guide". filmindependent. Retrieved 8 June 2025.