I have been a storyteller since I was 8 years old. My mother, three brothers and I would spend our family time watching movies. My mom introduced me to films as far back as the 1950’s to the present time. We watched every genre from musicals to horror. I was immediately enamored at one’s ability to create worlds. My imagination began to flourish and I knew that filmmaking was what I was meant to do.
As I got older and the world around me became ruthless, I transformed into the girl who created worlds to escape her reality. But as my journey as a filmmaker continued, I no longer wished to escape my reality. I instead wanted to use my art to reach out to others. That’s when it hit me, my purpose:
My mission is to help my audience realize that there is beauty in the darkness. There is growth in the shadows. I am here to inspire them to find their light within and allow it to shine no matter what others say or think. We shall come together and create our own reality, where everyone is seen and their feelings and thoughts are valid. With that said, I extend to you a proposition…
Paint the world black with me. For only in the darkness, does the light shine the brightest.
-- Diamond Monique Washington, IPG
Artistic Director, Stage And Screen Innovations