Maximus Wright – Residency

Storyteller, Author, Filmmaker, Mentor & SOARpreneur

Maximus is a proud native of Yazoo City, MS, and father of four: Jaime, Jeremiah, Zacharius, and Jordan. He is a graduate of Tougaloo College, where he majored in Philosophy and Religion with an emphasis in English. Maximus has been mentored and trained by “Mamie Brown’s Baby Boy,” Les Brown, as a motivational speaker and has traveled the country speaking and conducting seminars.

In 2013, Maximus founded Maximus Wright Productions, a company focused on developing and producing Mississippi talent. Maximus arose quickly from writing and producing music and sketch comedy routines to writing books and directing movies.

Maximus recently completed a concept film, Badge Unbroken (2024) based on the true story of Tupelo, MS, native and former law enforcement officer, Robert E. Hall. Maximus has written three books: Prophet (2024, 2019), Soul Damage (2017), and My Name is Lola (2017), and has two films to his credit: Soul Damage (2018) and My Name is Lola (2017). He has several projects in the works including his latest film, Existentialism and a script called True Love.

In 2020, he founded the annual Jackson Film Festival (JXN FILM FESTIVAL™) through his nonprofit, Soarpreneur. Soarpreneur has produced 15 first-time authors and screenwriters and has given approximately 400 filmmakers a platform to showcase their projects. This includes the 2021 production of The Money Grab, a short film based on the script written by teenager, Kamari Brooks of Canton, MS. Soarpreneur recently created a film studies curriculum for Rust College (2024) and created “Film Like a Girl,” a customized screenwriting and filmmaking badge workshop, for the Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi at Camp Wahi (2024). Through Soarpreneur, Maximus is entering the third year of a seven-year commitment to create 100 filmmakers.

Maximus Wright is dedicated to telling the stories that need to be told and creating a platform for the next generation of Mississippi talent.