Biography
Ryan Henry Knight is an award-winning African American filmmaker, writer, producer, and creative director based in Atlanta, GA. He's known for telling gothic, progressive stories that reflect our social climate. His work "exists somewhere beyond reality," fusing drama, surrealism, and experimentalism.
Before graduating high school, Ryan won top prizes at the Golden Script Competition (UK) and New York International Screenplay Awards (USA) with his psychological thriller spec script, And Home We Came, as the youngest writer to receive such accolades. Shortly after, he was offered the opportunity to bring And Home We Came to producers at HBO, but turned it down with hopes of maintaining his vision for the project. That same year, Ryan received the prestigious Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Fellowship Award for Film and Video. He then moved to Atlanta, GA, to continue pursuing film at the Savannah College of Art and Design.
In 2017, Ryan co-founded the independent production company, Director's Company. Under the company, his directed and produced works have been recognized and awarded at festivals across the globe, including the Austin Film Festival, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts' qualifying Aesthetica Film Festival, and the Gary International Black Film Festival. Moreover, his work has been featured in Bloody-Disgusting Magazine, NoBudge, Free the Work, SHOWstudio, BOOOOOOOM, and Film Shortage, to name a few.
His accolades have established him as a distinct voice in the world of independent cinema. Acclaimed filmmaker, actor, and film curator Kentucker Audley deemed Ryan a "fiercely ambitious filmmaker and a promising young voice" for his directorial efforts on Ludere (2019) and You Almost Saw Me (2020), which earned him an award for Directing at the Trinity Film Festival in 2020. That same year, Ryan's short experimental film, Run Away, They'll See Us (2020) was nominated for Best Experimental Short Film at the National Film Festival for Talented Youth, the largest international film festival for emerging filmmakers. He's also delved into branded content, directing a spot for Google and several award-winning fashion films, among others.
Currently based in Atlanta, Ryan is making a name for himself as a rising talent in the entertainment industry, gaining the attention of major studios such as Blumhouse, Chernin Entertainment, Legendary Pictures, and Apple. More recently, he's gained the backing of major power players across the entertainment landscape with the development of exciting projects that promise to showcase his unique approach to blending surrealism with the reality of the his experiences.
His work has drawn comparisons to some of the most iconic and influential voices in film. Through his work, he aims to continue the legacy of trailblazing artists who have pushed the boundaries of storytelling and representation, inspired new generations of filmmakers, and challenged societal norms. With a style that combines wit and cultural commentary, artistic ambition, emotional depth, and complete with a groundbreaking vision, Ryan is poised to make his mark on the industry and lead the way for the next generation of filmmakers.
