Serial Pictures Signs Director Merawi Gerima

Production Company Serial Pictures has signed filmmaker Merawi Gerima for commercials, branded entertainment and music video representation. Born and raised in Washington, DC, Merawi’s origin informs his work and his community-centred orientation, and his work focuses on going outside the boundaries of creative conventions to discover and cultivate an authentic storytelling accent.

He just released his first commercial, 'Certified Lover Boy', for Drake’s NOCTA X Nike line, launching the label’s custom AF1 in honour of Drake’s favourite childhood book 'Love You Forever', by Robert Munsch.

“We are so thrilled to welcome Merawi to Serial Pictures!” says says Serial Pictures founding partner Violaine Etienne. “His work is evocative visually striking and sheds a light on important social issues. He is an important fresh artistic voice whom we are excited to introduce to the branded space.”

Watch his new NOCTA spot and the rest of his reel here. 

“Serial’s boutique, handcrafted, story-driven approach felt kindred from the outset,” says Merawi. “I’m proud to be working alongside some of the best producers and directors in the game.”

RESIDUE, his hauntingly personal feature debut was a communal endeavour shot in the neighbourhood where Merawi grew up. Written and directed by Merawi, RESIDUE follows aspiring filmmaker Jay (Obinna Nwachukwu) returning to his childhood neighbourhood in Washington, DC that has been changed beyond his recognition. The film is an intense, thought-provoking, evocative and emotional story of social dislocation and broken lives set against the backdrop of gentrification in the District of Columbia. 

Following its world premiere at the 2020 Slamdance Film Festival, RESIDUE was honoured with the festival’s Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature and the Acting Award for star Nwachukwu. RESIDUE also was awarded Special Mention at the 77th Venice International Film Festival’s Giornate degli Autori and won the John Cassavettes Award at the 2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards. The film was later acquired by Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY and is currently streaming on Netflix. 

Merawi has since directed television episodes for The CW series NAOMI and OWN Networks’ CHERISH THE DAY, created and produced by DuVernay. He is currently in post on his first music video.

Merawi grew up immersed in film. Prior to attending USC’s School of Cinematic Arts (encouraged by mentor filmmaker Bradford Young), he spent his childhood on film sets and in editing rooms with his filmmaker parents Shirikiana Aina and Haile Gerima. These legendary filmmakers of the LA Rebellion film movement have won multiple international awards for their best-known films SANKOFA, ASHES AND EMBERS and TEZA. With Merawi, they all support each other’s films and provide support for other independent filmmakers through their non-profit film company, Positive Productions Inc.