Roxanne Avent Taylor on Building Audiences from the Ground Up

Roxanne Avent Taylor is emerging as one of Hollywood’s most prolific and successful independent producers as well as the driving force behind several social justice and youth advocacy initiatives. As co-founder of Hidden Empire Film Group with husband director Deon Taylor, Ms. Taylor has developed, packaged and produced an impressive slate of films. Her most recent, Lionsgate’s “Fatale,” stars two-time Academy Award® winner Hilary Swank and Golden Globe® nominee Michael Ealy is currently a box office leader while simultaneously steaming up PVOD streaming platforms. Additional theatrically releases include Sony Pictures’ “Black and Blue” starring Academy Award nominee Naomie Harris, NAACP Image Award® winner Tyrese Gibson, and Frank Grillo; Sony Pictures’ “The Intruder” with Golden Globe nominee Dennis Quaid, Ealy, and NAACP Image Award nominee Meagan Good; NAACP Image Award nominated “Traffick” starring NAACP Image Award nominee Paula Patton, SAG Award® nominee Missi Pyle, and NAACP Image Award winners Omar Epps and Laz Alonso; “Meet the Blacks” starring NAACP Image Award winner Mike Epps and ALMA Award® winner George Lopez, and “Supremacy” starring two-time Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali, Spirit Award® winner Derek Luke, and SAG Award nominee Julie Benz. Ms. Taylor’s upcoming films include “Grave Hill,” a remake of the Vietnamese horror-thriller film “The Housemaid,” adapted by Oscar® winner Geoffrey Fletcher (“Precious”) and Derek Nguyen; “The House Next Door” starring ALMA Award nominee Danny Trejo, Emmy Award® winner Kat Williams, and Mike Epps; and “Don’t Fear”. Along with Robert F. Smith and Deon Taylor, Ms. Taylor co-produced the digital series Be Woke. Vote, a social media philanthropic initiative to engage young people in political issues impacting our communities. The bipartisan series was hosted by CNN political contributor Van Jones, TV journalist Roland Martin, and GRAMMY Award® winning singer/songwriter Tameka ‘Tiny’ Harris and features interviews with Kim Kardashian West, Oscar winner Jamie Foxx, Chelsea Handler, GRAMMY winner will.i.am, U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters among other high- profile newsmakers. Be Woke. Vote won two Webby Awards in 2020. In 2019, along with Mr. Taylor, she launched C.L.I.M.B., a non-profit which connects disadvantaged youth with resources and support. Additionally, the Taylors have partnered with organizations like Baron Jay Foundation to provide opportunities for at-risk youth to gain on-set experience. Ms. Taylor received that organization’s prestigious Trailblazer’s Award in 2019 the same year Hidden Empire Film Group was recognized with the “Humanitarian of the Year Award” by the Location Managers Guild International (LMGI) The year prior, Ms. Taylor was honored with the Women in NAACP Leadership Award. When not on location, she lives in Northern California with her family.