Maggie Mahrt, a visionary director with an unwavering enthusiasm for crafting captivating narratives and immersive environments, has been diligently honing her craft as a freelancer for nearly a decade.
Throughout her illustrious career, she has amassed a diverse portfolio of critically acclaimed shorts, commercials, web series, and branded content, each showcasing her distinctive perspective and artistic vision.
As a testament to her versatility and adaptability, Maggie has had the privilege of working on a wide range of projects, including the highly anticipated feature film "Say it in German", set to debut in 2020.
Her remarkable ability to navigate various creative landscapes has earned her a reputation as a sought-after director, capable of bringing even the most ambitious ideas to life with flair and precision.
Maggie's formative years were profoundly influenced by the cinematic masterpieces of Charlie Chaplin and Federico Fellini, whose innovative storytelling and visual flair sparked a creative fire within her. As a precocious youngster, she began to express herself through writing and directing her own theatrical productions, effortlessly marshaling her siblings and neighborhood friends into the roles of her whimsical melodramas.
These early endeavors often featured music as a central element, a testament to Maggie's abiding love for the genre. Her productions were a testament to her boundless imagination, as she skillfully wove together elements of drama, comedy, and song to create enchanting, memorable experiences for her young cast and audience alike.
Maggie embarked on a collegiate journey to hone her acting skills, ultimately dedicating four years to captivating audiences as a solo performer in a one-woman drama. This extensive tour took her to various corners of the globe, exposing her to diverse cultures and refined her ability to convey complex emotions through her craft.
Following this impressive stint, Maggie shifted her focus towards the realm of iconography, where she delved into the world of painting and commissioned original works. This creative odyssey allowed her to develop a keen eye for the potency of a single frame and the nuances of color as a language.
As Maggie delved deeper into the realm of artistic expression, a transformative journey unfolded, ultimately propelling her towards a career in the captivating world of film. The culmination of her creative explorations led her to take the bold step of enrolling in film school, where the harmonious convergence of her artistic passions and innate talents enabled her to uncover her true vocational calling as a director.
Maggie's formative years in the entertainment industry commenced with a stint as an assistant to the renowned creator, David Greenwalt, on the popular NBC series GRIMM. It was during this time that she developed a profound appreciation for the fast-paced and dynamic world of television production.
The film UNBOUND garnered recognition at a multitude of prestigious Academy Award qualifying festivals, with notable mentions including LA Shorts and HollyShorts, where it took home the coveted Best Director award, in addition to accolades for Sci-Fi/Fantasy and an audience choice award. Furthermore, the film received the esteemed Emerging Cinematographers Award from the International Cinematographers Guild, and its cinematography was showcased at the renowned Camerimage International Film Festival in Poland.
Maggie's professional journey took a significant turn when she was handpicked to participate in the prestigious Fox Filmmakers Lab, a coveted program that offered her a unique chance to present a short film concept set within the realm of renowned FOX franchises to a panel of esteemed studio executives.
As part of the inaugural year of the Ryan Murphy HALF TV Director program, Maggie had the distinct privilege of shadowing a renowned director on the set of a Lifetime Movie of the Week, a valuable experience that allowed her to gain invaluable insights into the inner workings of the industry and hone her skills as a director.
Maggie, a talented and accomplished individual, received a prestigious screenwriting grant from The Moving Picture Institute, which enabled her to create an award-winning short film set against the vibrant backdrop of High School Skater culture in the 1990s.
In addition to her impressive work in the realm of short films, Maggie is currently pouring her creativity into writing the pilot episode of a groundbreaking historical original series, which sheds new light on the fascinating and often misunderstood life of a pioneering female American west icon.
Maggie hails from the Peoria, Illinois region, boasting a rich cultural heritage shaped by the Midwest's storied past. Her formative years were spent within the boundaries of this picturesque city, where she developed a strong sense of community and a keen appreciation for the simple pleasures in life.
