Director Biography - Tara Lynn Marcelle

Tara Lynn Marcelle was born on January 15th, in Norfolk, Virginia. She grew up in a filmmaking family and spent most of her childhood on set, where she learned various aspects of the industry from production, directing, and acting. In 2006, she moved to the Republic of the Marshall Islands to work as a volunteer at a local high school, where she co-wrote the country's first feature film, Morning Comes So Soon (2008), with the help of the United Nations. The film was an official selection of the Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF). After returning to the States in late 2009, Tara started work as head casting director for "Sid Roth's, It's Supernatural" TV Show. She was asked to write her first feature screenplay, My Name is Paul, in 2013, and from there, has written or co-written over ten films which have been produced or are in pre-production. She's also directed 3 features, and 1 short. Aside from writing, casting, and directing, she cares for her four children, writes music, and draws portraits.

Director Statement

The story behind 'Bennie' the movie is partially based on my real-life grandmothers, Josie and Pearl, and Josie's boyfriend, Bennie. I was able to make this film with my father, (who produced, shot, and edited it), and Pearl was his mother, which made the film that much more personal for both of us. This little movie actually took eight years to complete...which became a source of comedy/strife in itself. Unfortunately, by the time the film was completed, both the real Josie and Pearl had passed away, so they were never able to see it. It was definitely a labor of love. A lot of labor. A lot of love.