Peter McGennis was born and raised in Buffalo, New York, where he developed a strong sense of determination and creativity. His father, a man of many ideas, and his mother, a Southern belle from New Orleans who taught third grade for forty years, instilled in him the importance of hard work and believing in oneself. Peter's mother, in particular, had a profound impact on his life, teaching him that with passion, creativity, and an incredible work ethic, anything was achievable.
As he grew older, Peter's confidence and creativity only continued to flourish. He married his first love and had three children, but he felt the need to become a more complete person before pursuing his dreams in the world of film. Peter's desire to learn and grow led him to write, direct, and produce his first feature film, "In", in New Orleans.
Peter's body of work is interdisciplinary, and he is known for layering multiple art forms in his feature films, including his own music, dance, photography, calligraphy, animation, comic book illustration, and others. He has worked mostly outside of Hollywood, allowing him the freedom to cultivate his own unique style.
As a pioneer of the "buy local movement" in independent film, Peter focuses on reflecting regional characteristics, distinct cultures, and local stories that have special meaning to their local audience. He sees making films as an opportunity to connect, grow, and inspire others.
On the music side, Peter has created several original soundtracks, including "Queen City: A Rustbelt Serenade", which features some of the finest blues, soul, and jazz musicians. He continues to record with his own all-star studio project band, "Pete & The Amusements", moving further in a musical direction with his self-coined "movie album" genre.
Peter's aura is one of authenticity and invitation, and he knows how to make the most of every moment. He is the rare type of person who brings a generosity of spirit to whatever he takes on, and he is too strong a person to be diminished by fame. Instead, he puts his inspiration into action and embracing the unknown.
