We recently connected with Zarine Murray and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Zarine, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

One of my most and recent project that I felt was extremely meaningful and important was my last huge filming project “Back and Forth” a roller skate movie filmed in London and the USA receiving a huge distrubution deal, and streamed on more than 50 channels.

I wrote this film not expecting to film in the USA, so here goes! Back and Forth was originally a short film, screened at a cinema in Central London, tickets sold out in three days
2 days later I was on the plane to Atlanta, with the cast, radio inviews booked, red carpet screenings of Back and Forth, working in schools showcasing the film along with Q and A, networking working events and more, I then flew my cast to Miami to have the biggest meeting of my life,
God made my dream come true I was offered a distrubution deal in the USA, and extended my stay with the crew to film Back and Forth as a feature, now this is where things became tricky, I started writing scenes in the morning and filming late afternoons, as well as evenings, I would virtually wake up at 6am and have scenes ready written out and ready to shoot, before you knew it I completed a featured film in the USA.

This was so meaningful because the power in believing you can do it, not know how your going too but just believing is a huge achievement in itself, the project is streaming on Tubi where I am super proud to say I was the first British female to have there film streamed on Tubi UK, this is beyond meaningful to me, and then went onto 50 other streaming channels like Amazon Prime, Peacock, Roku, BET, Samsung TV, Galaxy, and so many more this part of my journey is called ACHIEVEMENT

Zarine, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hello my name is Zarine Murray, thank you for exploring this page, let’s get a closer insight about me.

I wrote my first ever written play titled “In him do I trust” this event was showcased at St Mary’s church, it was only then I realised and understood what my purpose was and what I was placed on earth to do, I often would write scripts, hoping one day my stories would be shown in a theatre or TV. I was passionate, my drive was relentless, I wanted to connect with people through the love of creative writing, by 2019 I completed 12 plays, many of the plays where shown in and around many London theatres, by this time I gained a great amount of experience and grew a good number of audiences, my knowledge became vast within the creative industry.

The history of my story telling wasn’t always what it seemed, I would often write my play’s sitting in the hospital with my son who sadly suffers with sickle cell anaemia, and Moyamoya disease, life was very much a huge challenge, I depended on God to see us through, sleepless nights, operations, hospital appointments the list went on, despite this, it gave me the courage to continue to tell my story through creative writing.

In 2015 I opened my very own performing arts academy, this program was designed for children living in the Deptford community, the sessions offered dance, drama and vocals, during this time whilst the academy was running, I was awarded for my hard work, dedication and tenacity for running the project, in 2016 I was granted funding from Comic Relief and a 2-page spread in the Evening Standard. I was so overwhelmed as I didn’t expect to receive anything, the project was run by myself and volunteer’s the children that attended would often say this is there second home, this allowed me feel a huge sense of success, the academy allowed you to express, enjoy and have fun, the art of running the performing arts academy was allowing the children to feel supported, recognised, and learn. The performing arts project would often participate in shows and competitions as well as award ceremonies for their effort, behaviour and dedication, in 2018 I wrote a play based on a true story “ I Found Strength” based on a young child who suffered with sickle cell and the challenges the mother would often be facing, the play was performed by 30 of the children who attended the performing arts project, tickets for the play sold out in less than a day, my audience members grew and the support shown was amazing, Due to such high demand the play was shown again at the Albany Theatre and Streatham Place project showing two viewings at different times, due to such high demands of the, and how popular the play became I decided to take a leap of faith and turn the play into a film. This was my first ever film I wrote, to my surprise the film drew alot of great attention, I was given an opportunity of flying to Atlanta in October 2019 I attended the Black film festival as a guest speaker, from there I met the most creative individuals, and was able to connect again in November 2019 for a project that I was asked to be apart of, my dreams became a reality, I would often work endless nights and hours creating short films, and sketches.

By this time, I had connected with such amazing individuals, such as Josha Jordon, Shaun Mathis, Julian Brittiano (Greenleaf), Chris James, Mike Morris and these are just some of the most amazing creative producers and directors in Atlanta Georgia.

I decided to close the academy in 2019 as my future in film directing and writing was taken off, sadly the academy had to come to an end. During my time running the preforming arts school, I was so proud to see the development of the students and how much they had achieved, from live performance, plays, dance shows and competition and award ceremonies. In 2020 Zarine Murray films grew rapidly, with a great team of creative individuals

In 2020 I had amazing connection and decided to follow where my heart was leading me too, I am proud to scream that I had written 19 Films including trailers to this date. In October 2020 I had a Zarine Murray film screening festival based on all my films I have written and produced, I was able to present all films and trailer, there was no stopping, once again I was recognised for my films, where in fact I was often told my name should be called Spike Z or Tlyer Perry’s little sister, ahahahah to be able to bless the audience and spiritually feed them through my creative writing is absolutely breath taking, One of my proudest moments was in November 2020 when I awarded finalist for best creative industry writer at the Baton Awards, and nominated for best Creative Director at the Creative industry awards, another proud achievements is starting the year of 2021 with a new film written, produced and directed by myself titled “ To forgive is to Love” Based on 3 episodes that focuses on relationship breakdown in a family home, and looking into why us a black community do not seek as much counselling as other cultures.

I completed a script titled “Fallen” a short featured film based on a young father’s struggle, and the outcome of choices he made whilst still trying to ensure his street creditablity was not lost, I was inspired to write this film at the time of staying in Atlanta Georgia, I am working with some amazing actors that have simply shown commitment to ZM films, these phenomenal actors are by the likes of Antione Grant, Jamy Pierrevil, Jacquinn Clement, and Tanjiana Bryan-Hesse.

One of my goals:

Build a ZM FILMS studio, where the community and other creatives can go for classes, filming, workspace, a safety net where all creatives come together and build magic through, the love of there creativity through writing, music, storytelling and more.

I HIT MY GOAL!

Distribution deal with Maverick Entertainment

I hit my target in having my work internationally, I am excited to tell the world I received a distribution deal with Maverick Entertainment in the USA. Full feature film. You can catch my latest film BACK and FORTH” released 9th July on the following platforms, TUBI, Amazon prime, Roku, Samsung, LG TV, VIZIO, TCL, IMDBTV, FOX SOUL, SLING TV, PLUTO TV, VUDU, REDBOX DIGITAL, FREE FLIX, CRACKLE, POPCORN FLIX, STIRR, XUMO, All of Maverick black cinema branded TV, Maverick Movies, Youtube channel, Filmrise TV, Fandango, Bounce TV, PLEX TV, FOX SOUL, The Grio, Independent TV, and many more global platform,

The goal is to speak it into existence and it shall come to pass.

Thank you to all my supporters, audience, and team that continue to support, my gratitude to you all is appreciated, beyond words. With love!

I want to continue to bless my audience members through my creative artistic writing skills, I want to continue creating more great content, for the world to see! A huge well done and a token of appreciation to everyone who has helped build ZM Films, I have worked and still working with some amazing individuals,

WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!

One thing many people don’t know about me is I work with the deceased, as mortician creating the final moment of your last memories, so if you have a loved one that has sadly pass please use the enquire form, I will be happy to answer any questions.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Giving up as never been an option despite the heart ache, the pain of nearly loosing your child to this awful disease, I built up resilience, I often measured time, and what that would look like if I gave up, I had to show my son that I was a fighter, if I gave up, it means I would give up on him,
It means I would be showing my son, that the minute life gets tuff you throw it all away, I wasn’t about to do that, life has been challenging, it’s been testing but I look back to look forward to see my blessings, produceding 21 films to date is an achievement beyond words, resilience at its Finalist

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My driven mission is to open up a ZM Films Studio, where all creatives can learn the world of film, I want to inspire the next generation to always push for what you believe in, as we all,have a purpose, it’s about finding it! I would love to open my studio where you can learn, experience, build relationships and be as creative as you like, that is my mission and I will succeed there

Contact Info:

• Instagram: ZMFILMS
• Linkedin: Zarinemurrayfilms
• Twitter: Zarinemurrayfilms
• Youtube: Zarine Murray Films