S. Torriano Berry

S. Torriano Berry is an award-winning independent film producer, writer and director, born in Kansas City, Kansas. After obtaining a B.A. in Art/Photography from Arizona State University, Berry received an M.F.A. in Film Production from UCLA in 1985.

Berry has created and executive produced Black Independent Showcase and Black Visions/Silver Screen: Howard University Student Film Showcase for WHUT- TV 32, in Washington, D. C. His two TV movies The Light and When It’s Your Turn (1988) were produced through the Minority Advisory Board of WPVI-TV 6, in Philadelphia.  

Berry directed a feature-length horror film, Embalmer (1996). A short version of the film was selected as a finalist in the Showtime Network Inc.’s Black Short Filmmaker’s Showcase in 1998.  Berry is co-creator and director of the first dramatic television series of Belize, Noh Matta Wat!  He has written two novels and co-authored the film resource books, “The 50 Most Influential Black Films” (Citadel Press, 2001), and “Historical Dictionary of African American Cinema” (Scarecrow Press, 2007).  He is currently an associate professor at Howard University’s Department of Radio, Television and Film in Washington, D.C.