Q. Terah Jackson uses historical dramas and science fiction to examine personal and public questions about the human condition. His achievements in writing have been honored by his alma maters – the American Film Institute Conservatory (AFI) and Howard University, by the Writers Guild of America-West, and by Film Independent, and received attention from the Nichols Fellowship.
He wrote RUSTIN, an award-winning screenplay about Martin Luther King’s strategic advisor and organizer of the 1963 March on Washington. He wrote COUNTER directed by Nicholas Bouier and starring Demetrius Grosse, which premiered at the 2015 LA Film Festival and has since screened globally, nationally on PBS and at the NAACP's 2020 Virtual Convention. He has worked with Autopilot Entertainment, Reform Media, Black Bar Mitzvah, and AMC Studios to develop film and television projects. He is currently creating a limited TV series based on the US Welfare Rights movement set in Las Vegas.
His science fiction story, JULIUS-X ON DYING EARTH gained the attention of the Sundance / SLOAN Grant Program. He is currently developing a science fiction feature film about life, law, and artificial intelligence.
His screenwriting is deeply influenced by his work on the stage starting with his two hip hop theater plays, TWENTY-20 and HIDDEN PAGES, which was funded by Washington, D.C.’s Arts Commission. Between writing these two plays he was honored by participating in the Lincoln Center’s Directors Lab. For the award-winning play starring and written by Anu Yadav, MEENA'S DREAM, he directed the film of the premiere run before serving as the dramaturg for the off-Broadway development performance at the All For One Theater. He has teamed with Yadav to develop her first musical on poverty and triumph in the United States.
He has taught film and theater writing related courses at Chapman University, California State University - Long Beach, the New York Film Academy and at conferences and festivals around the country. He provides script reading and development services to a number of screenwriting competitions, producers, and filmmakers.
Jackson previously worked in government to enhance the education of youth and adults, particularly those with special needs. He also traveled the world as an IT consultant, which gave him the opportunity to meet old friends, eat lemon Kit Kats, and climb Mount Fuji, which he highly recommends climbing once – only once.
Sundance Advisor //