IN THE PRESS

HollyShorts 

Film Festival

Chinese Theater

Hollywood, CA | August 2025

HollyShorts Film Festival is an annual, Academy Award-qualifying festival that showcases the best short films from around the globe. Founded in 2005, it has grown into a prestigious event that celebrates short film, advances filmmakers' careers through screenings, panels, and networking, and fosters global collaboration. 

Representation, Revenue & Reach in Sports Media

Howard University

Washington, D.C. | August 2025

Hosted by Howard University, the symposium serves as a hub for Black talent across leagues, teams, agencies, and media. The event will spotlight pathways into sports business and content creation, with conversations focused on representation, access, and the evolving role of storytelling in shaping the industry.

The Play Gap: Women Behind the Camera in Sports

SXSW

Austin, TX | March 2025

At SXSW 2025, four award-winning directors, including Tarana Harris Mayes, took the stage to discuss the growing influence of women behind the camera in the world of sports. With women’s sports generating over $1 billion in revenue, the conversation explored how off-camera storytellers are helping drive the next wave of visibility and impact. 

 A Conversation on Black NFL Leadership

Morehouse College

Atlanta, GA | October 2024

Tarana Harris Mayes joined a panel at Morehouse College for “Better Than They Found It: Black Coaches Who Shaped the Modern NFL.” Drawing from her documentary – inspired by her father, Chick Harris, a 33-year NFL assistant coach – Mayes spoke about the influence of Black coaches and the untold stories shaping the league’s evolution.

Writing Ourselves into the Culture

Stanford University

Stanford, CA

At the Stanford Black Alumni Summit, Tarana Harris Mayes served as the moderator for “Writing Ourselves into the Culture,” a discussion on the intersection of sports, media, and storytelling. Joined by Sylvia Jones, ZZ Packer, Kevin Young, and Anna Malaika Tubbs, Mayes led an engaging conversation on representation, cultural narratives, and the power of diverse voices in media.