Mark Harris, a self-taught filmmaker, discovered his passion for storytelling at an early age. Growing up in Englewood on Chicago's Southside, he nurtured a love for writing and dreamed of being his own boss.
Englewood's challenges shaped Harris's resilience, and sports provided a positive outlet amid an environment of supportive families and systemic hardships. He earned a football scholarship to the University of Wisconsin River Falls, where he studied English, but his life changed after watching Spike Lee's Malcolm X in 1992, igniting his desire to pursue filmmaking.
Returning to Chicago, Harris worked various jobs, including as a sales rep at a furniture store, where he met early supporters of his career. By 1997, he was determined to write screenplays, immersing himself in books on the craft. After penning more than ten scripts, he pitched Zombies in the Hood to studios, eventually connecting with writer-director Barry Bowles, who became his first mentor.
In 2005, tired of waiting for his work to be produced, Harris decided to take matters into his own hands. His colleagues, aware of his passion, contributed $2,000 to fund his first film, Why Men Cheat. This leap of faith marked the birth of his production company, 1555filmworks.
Since then, Harris has expanded his impact. He launched Black Films Rock LLC, an online marketing platform, and co-founded the Englewood International Film Festival in 2010 to celebrate cinema and uplift his community.
In 2021, Harris released White People Money, starring Drew Sidora and Barton Fitzpatrick, to nearly 40 theaters-his largest theatrical release to date. His films, also featured on platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, demonstrate his commitment to sharing authentic stories and empowering independent filmmakers.
Mark Harris continues to inspire as a filmmaker who transforms vision into reality, building a legacy rooted in creativity, perseverance, and community.
