Today we’d like to introduce you to Ira Mallory
Ira, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Mallory is an Emmy Award nominated film director and founder of production company IRA FILMS/
BJYL PRODUCTIONS LLC. Ira’s education in film began in Los Angeles inside Fox Searchlight’s
Director’s Labs in association with the American Black Film Festival, receiving instruction from the late
John Singleton (Boyz n The Hood, Snowfall) , F Gary Gray (Italian Job, Straight Outta Compton) and Zola
Mashariki (BET Networks). Mallory’s film education continued at Indiana University where he studied
Communications, Media and Film History.
Mallory has directed over a dozen narrative and documentary films,. Mallory’s 2020 documentary
release, in Closing chronicled the closing of iconic Broad Ripple High School and is now streaming on
HoodoxTV. In 2021 Mallory was awarded a fellowship with the onRamp Artist Cohort sponsored by the
Indiana Art Commission. Mallory wrote and directed the award winning film project Hadassah: Queen
Esther, which has been showcased at international film festival’s, including the notable Silicon Valley
African Film Festival in October 2022. Hadassah: Queen Esther has the distinct honor of being housed
and preserved at the Indiana University Black Cinema Archives as of Fall 2023.
Ira co-directed two commercial ad spots for Conner Prairie Museum of Fishers, Indiana for their
upcoming “Promise Land as Proving Ground”, exhibit. Both commercials aired during the Super Bowl
2023 and in March 2024 received dual awards during the American Advertising Awards 2024.
Additionally, Mallory’s Hadassah: Queen Esther was featured in Feb of 2024 inside Shelton Auditorium at
Butler University during the University’s visiting Black Intellectual series hosted by the Hub for Black
Affairs and Community Engagement. Hadassah: Queen Esther has the distinct honor of being housed
and preserved at the Indiana University Black Cinema Archives. Mallory’s 2023 documentary “Fort
Nightly” is housed at Irwin Library on the campus of Butler University as apart of their collection of his
work. Mallory successfully runs DK Film Collective where his team develops budding filmmakers. During
the summer of 2024 his students produced the Ira Mallory written film “High Tops” which won Best
Picture during the Indiana Youth Film Festival. “Promised Land as Proving Ground” landed Mallory (2)
Emmy nominations for Directing at the 55th Annual Emmy Awards ceremony June 2024.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The most prominent barrier you will encounter is that of funding your creative ideas. It has been critical to dedicate time and intention towards securing the financial backing to bring your ideas fully to life.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am Emmy Award nominated director of films, tv series, commercials, documentary , short and feature length content. I am very proud of Hadassah: Queen Esther the film and our Emmy nominated commercial for the Promise Land as Proving Ground historical exhibit.
What does success mean to you?
Success is defined my us as individuals. For me , success is doing what you love and having the ability to enrich the lives of others as a result.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.queenesthermovie.com
- Instagram: Irafilmmaker
- Other: https://www.iramallory.com
