producer

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At an early age Ayanna Maharry was given one of the most valuable experiences of her career. The daughter of a retired Army serviceman, Ms. Maharry lived in Darmstadt, Germany and Ansbach, Germany for several years, and traveled extensively throughout Europe. This experience taught Ms. Maharry the importance of the international community and the importance of international relationships. Years later, the significance of this knowledge has come full circle in Ms. Maharry’s endeavors in the motion picture industry, where international financing and international consumers have changed the face of filmed entertainment.

Ayanna Maharry is an accomplished industry professional with over 10 years of motion picture production experience. In that time she has amassed extensive accounting and production management credentials spanning film and television mediums. She has worked in production management and accounting positions on film and television productions with budgets ranging from $2,000,000 to $120,000,000.

Ayanna Maharry is an accomplished actor, producer, director, and writer with extensive production experience spanning film, television and theater. She is a member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) as well as the Writers Guild of America (WGAw). Her company, Beautiful Flower Productions, LLC, is currently developing the drama TOUGH LIKE WEARING DREADLOCKS that Ms. Maharry wrote.

A native of Indianapolis, Indiana, Ms. Maharry graduated from The American University, in Washington,  DC, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in film production and direction. While attending her alma mater she was very active in campus life becoming a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She also spent several years as a model.

While living in Washington, DC, Ms. Maharry worked with the Washington, DC Office of Motion Picture and Television Development. She also worked with Hedrick Smith Productions on the acclaimed documentary, ACROSS THE RIVER, which aired on PBS. Later Ms. Maharry worked on CONTACT, directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Jodie Foster.

Since arriving in Los Angeles, Ms. Maharry has continued to develop her talent as an actor and director, performing in theater, film and television productions, and directing films which have been featured in film festivals across the country. She was tapped by director Ted Demme to perform opposite Lisa Nicole Carson (Ally McBeal) in the feature film LIFE, starring Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, and Bernie Mac. Ms. Maharry was also cast in a featured role opposite Malinda Williams (Soul Food) on the television series Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher. She later directed a short film entitled HE’S THE ONE, which she also wrote.

Ms. Maharry has worked with renowned producers Suzanne de Passe (Sister Sister, Smart Guy), Hamilton Cloud (former NBC Executive), and Don Cornelius on such nationally recognized shows as the NAACP Image Awards, the Soul Train Music Awards, and the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards.

Most recently, Ms. Maharry was hired by media conglomerate BET (Black Entertainment Television) to produce and direct a commercial advertisement for their A Healthy BET: 2005 Fitness Challengecampaign. The spot featured Jeanette Jenkins, celebrity fitness trainer, who has trained Queen Latifah and Terrell Owens (NFL star), among others. The spot was broadcast nationally on the BET cable channel.