Biography
Kymberly Harris is an award-winning filmmaker, director, and founder of Firsthand Films whose work explores psychologically rich, character-driven stories that examine identity, power, and human connection. Her films blend intimate performance with visually grounded storytelling, often centering on characters navigating profound emotional and social transformation. Her short film Rose’s Turn premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and went on to receive multiple international awards. Her film FAITH won Best Film at the NYC International Film Festival, and her most recent film Now and Never received the Rising Star Award at CineGear Expo LA in partnership with Paramount Pictures. Harris’s film I Heard Sarah received the Robert Rodriguez Award and secured distribution through Good Deed Entertainment. Known for her ability to draw deeply authentic performances from actors, Harris has collaborated with acclaimed artists including Laverne Cox and has received praise from industry leaders such as Al Pacino and producer Casey Silver for her commitment to truthful storytelling and character exploration. In addition to her filmmaking work, Harris has spent over a decade mentoring emerging filmmakers and actors at leading institutions including Loyola Marymount University and The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, guiding projects from script development through production. Harris holds an MFA in Acting and Playwriting from the Actors Studio Drama School at The New School and an MA in Theatre from Illinois State University. She is a member of SAG-AFTRA, the Dramatists Guild, the Alliance of Women Directors, Film Fatales, and Women in Media. Kymberly Harris is an award-winning filmmaker, director, and founder of Firsthand Films whose work explores psychologically rich, character-driven stories that examine identity, power, and human connection. Her films blend intimate performance with visually grounded storytelling, often centering on characters navigating profound emotional and social transformation. Her short film Rose’s Turn premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and went on to receive multiple international awards. Her film FAITH won Best Film at the NYC International Film Festival, and her most recent film Now and Never received the Rising Star Award at CineGear Expo LA in partnership with Paramount Pictures. Harris’s film I Heard Sarah received the Robert Rodriguez Award and secured distribution through Good Deed Entertainment. Known for her ability to draw deeply authentic performances from actors, Harris has collaborated with acclaimed artists including Laverne Cox and has received praise from industry leaders such as Al Pacino and producer Casey Silver for her commitment to truthful storytelling and character exploration. In addition to her filmmaking work, Harris has spent over a decade mentoring emerging filmmakers and actors at leading institutions including Loyola Marymount University and The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, guiding projects from script development through production. Harris holds an MFA in Acting and Playwriting from the Actors Studio Drama School at The New School and an MA in Theatre from Illinois State University. She is a member of SAG-AFTRA, the Dramatists Guild, the Alliance of Women Directors, Film Fatales, and Women in Media.
