Maori Karmael Holmes / “Scene Not Heard”
By Araeia Robinson

Maori Karmael Holmes was born on Sunset Boulevard in a post-Hippie household with an avocado tree and a treasure trove of dusty 12”s in her backyard. She was raised in both Los Angeles and Atlanta with limited access to television and Barbie dolls and thus has become an avowed pop culture fanatic.

Maori's fascinations have led her down a career path that has included a variety of experiences in the arts, culture and music. She has been a freelance writer for many national publications including SaVoy and Alternet.org; a publicist for independent musicians; an editorial assistant at the Washington City Paper ; an actress with the acclaimed Freddie Hendricks' Youth Ensemble of Atlanta; and for three years she worked as a Marketing Representative for Sony Music Entertainment.

Her primary artistic avocation is filmmaking. Maori's films include the recently completed documentary about women in Hip Hop entitled SCENE NOT HEARD. Scene Not Heard explores the challenges and triumphs of female MCs, DJs, dancers, graffiti artists, promoters, and radio personalities in Philadelphia. Through rare performance footage, interviews, and music, the film provides a genuine peek into the lives of a powerful subgroup within hip-hop culture and introduces many previously unknown voices. The film includes Lady B, Schoolly D, Rennie Harris, Bahamadia, Ursula Rucker, Ms. Jade, Jazzyfatnastees, Lady Alma, and Versus. Look for it on WYBE (www.wybe.org) in February 2006 as a part of ‘Philadelphia Stores V’.

Some of Maori’s other films include, My Name is Rich Medina and The Moment , a short narrative starring neo-soul singer W. Ellington Felton. Additionally, her costume designs have been featured in the films Just Old Friends (dir. Wan-Ching Ke), In Between (dir. Narcel Reedus), and the multi-media opera Violet Fire (dir. Terry O'Reilly).

Her most recent professional positions include: Director of the Community Arts Partnership at the University of Pennsylvania and Coordinator for the Philadelphia Independent Film and Video Association. She is currently a full-time lecturer in the Department of Broadcasting, Telecommunications and Mass Media (BTMM) at Temple University.

Maori received her M.F.A. in Film & Media Arts from Temple University and her B.A. in American History from American University and resides in Philadelphia where she serves on the advisory boards of the Foundation Arts Initiative and Girls DJ 101.

For more information about Maori and “Scene Not Heard” visit www.karmalux.com.