As an undergraduate, I majored in Africana Studies, Theater, and Political Science. While, I had hopes of working as an actor, I never saw myself as a filmmaker, which is equivalent to being a storyteller. It wasn’t until I developed an interest in independent world cinema that I started to think seriously about being a writer/director as a career option. A storyteller. There was something magical, yet real about seeing films from such writer/directors like, Charles Burnett, Claire Denis, Robert Bresson, Billy Woodberry, Spike Lee, Yasujiro Ozu, the Dardenne Brothers and later Kelly Reichardt that fed my soul and desire to be a filmmaker. I often wondered why those filmmakers. Then, I realized why. It was mainly because they are all intelligent and unapologetic about using their craft as filmmakers along with their humanity to tell stories about everyday people in circumstances that I am familiar with like being vulnerable, being poor, and being working class. It was navigating these types of complex human circumstances in a story setting that allowed me to see myself planting creative stakes as a filmmaker. To be able to shine a light on the humanity and intelligence of those that are so often marginalized in the dark corners of media representation excites me. Although I am considered a late bloomer in the cinematic world of filmmaking, I am by no means a late bloomer in storytelling. Therefore, I have decided to spend my life learning and developing my craft as a writer/director – embracing the tools of love, hard work, creativity, and perseverance to let my humanity shine to the world as a storyteller. Just maybe, someday, my work will inspire someone else to live and dream beyond the zeitgeist of their surroundings.

-Jeremiah OC Jahi
(Writer/Director)

Filmmaking Awards as writer/director:  

  1. The Meeting (narrative short film 2006)
  2. Best Short Film: North Carolina Black Film Festival 2006
  3. Best Short Film: Arizona Black Film Showcase 2007
  4. Honorable Mention Award for Best Short Film Narrative: Newark Black Film Festival  2008
  5. Honorable Mention Award for Best Short Film Narrative: Texas Black Film Festival 2007
  6. Casualty of Time (narrative short film 2019 in conjunction with the Los Angeles  County Museum of Arts Veterans Make Movies program)
  7. American Filmatic Arts Award for Best Veteran Short Film. 2022
  8. Care Awards for Best Veteran Short Film 2020
  9. Never Came Back (narrative feature film 2017)
  10. Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature: Gary International Black Film Festival 2017