Filmmaker’s Statement
I make films to communicate what I feel about life, love and humanity in ways only cinema can. Through fictional characters whose experiences feel real, I invite audiences to see through someone else’s eyes—to understand the choices they make and the truths that shape them.
I want cinema to be a space where people can bring their biases and preconceived ideas, yet give themselves permission to question them. A place to be entertained and challenged simultaneously. A place to explore unfamiliar perspectives, overcome fears and connect with characters they might otherwise dismiss or struggle to understand.
"I WRITE SCRIPTS THAT MAKE PEOPLE THINK AND FEEL..."
"I DIRECT FILMS THAT MAKE PEOPLE THINK AND FEEL..."
"I PRODUCE FILMS THAT MAKE PEOPLE THINK AND FEEL..."
BIOGRAPHY
Lawrence "LAW" Watford is a filmmaker, writer, producer and director drawn to stories about meaning, identity, faith, justice and human connection. Through Divine Write Pictures, he develops character-driven film and television work that combines high-concept ideas with emotional authenticity.
Watford’s career in film and television spans more than two decades. Early in his career, he was mentored by legendary television producer Peter Engel, creator and executive producer of Saved by the Bell. His professional experience includes work on Terrence Malick’s The New World, five seasons of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and the television movie A Christmas Wish.
As an independent filmmaker, Watford was recognized by Essence Magazine as one of “7 Independent Black Filmmakers to Watch.” His short film Catharsis was acquired by Revolt TV, joining a body of work that includes Flipped, Shadow Acting and other character-driven films exploring race, morality and the complexities of human relationships.
Watford made his feature directorial debut with A Sista Holiday, an adaptation of Tiffany L. Warren’s novel What a Sista Would Do. Through Divine Write Pictures, he is developing a slate of film and television projects ranging from commercial independent features to prestige television, including The Seminarian: Martin Luther King Jr. Comes of Age, based on Patrick Parr’s acclaimed biography about the formative years King spent at Crozer Theological Seminary.
A Brooklyn-based filmmaker, Watford approaches storytelling from both a creative and community-centered perspective, seeking stories that entertain while opening audiences to people, experiences and ideas they may not otherwise encounter.