Tamarat Makonnen

Tamarat Makonnen (born March 16, 1972, San Francisco, California) is an American film director, producer and writer. A graduate of Virginia Union University, with a degree in English Language Arts. The native New Yorker received his professional break directing the music video "The Beginning of the End" for EMI recording artists Boogiemonsters. The New World Order inspired music video displayed a dark society where those who opposed the new government were detained for scientific experiments and tracked with barcodes in their hands. The video led to Makonnen creating music videos and electronic press kits (EPK) for an array of artists including: R&B singer Ne-Yo, Tupac Shakur collaborator C-Bo and political hip hop duo dead prez. Makonnen has worked several times with dead prez, directing their critically acclaimed music video "Mind Sex" from their debut album Let's Get Free. Various entertainment publications have covered Makonnen's work including XXL, IndieWire and Billboard.

Makonnen is of African-American and Ethiopian descent. His great grandfather Makonnen Endelkachew and great uncle Endelkachew Makonnen both served as Prime Minister under Emperor Haile Selassie.

In 2009 Makonnen directed the American drama film Dreams and Shadows starring James Russo and Shawn-Caulin Young.

In 2013 Makonnen directed the award-winning documentary In Search of the Black Knight. The film takes a comedic look into the complexities of African-American relationships.

Most recently, Makonnen has produced and directed for several web series including: The New Shade of Black and The Unwritten Rules, which is based on creator Kim Williams' book 40 Hours and an Unwritten Rule: The Diary of an African-American Woman.