Tariq Simmons

Tariq Simmons was born in Amityville, NY, raised in Wyandanch, NY, and Brooklyn, NY. His love for television and film developed at a young age. He would rather watch T.V. rather than go outside and play with his friends during his adolescent years. Tariq decided to pursue a career in filmmaking when he joined NAACP’s ACT-SO program while in high school. During that program he studied various acting techniques, but he realized his love was for writing and directing. Tariq received a Bachelor’s of Art degree in Film and Video at The Pennsylvania State University in 2011. During his senior year at Penn State, Tariq directed his first short film entitled “Prosopope”, which premiered at the Penn State Blue and White festival. After graduating he went on to pursue a career in film and television. His credits include BMF, Bigger Season 2, The Quad Season 2, Spider-man: Homecoming, The Fate and the Furious, Hangman, The Quad Season 2, The Haves and the Have Nots, and The Following.

After graduating Penn State, Tariq returned home to New York to pursue a career in film. He day-played on a few shows as a production assistant, but wasn’t able to obtain full-time employment. In 2013, Tariq became a freelance photographer at News 12, a local news station in Brooklyn and The Bronx for two years. In 2015, Tariq decided to relocate to Atlanta to pursue his career in television and film. While living in Atlanta he has gained experience in television, film, and reality T.V. Tariq’s ultimate goals are to work full-time as Writer and Director in the television and film industry. Back in 2011, Tariq began working on his Sci-Fi/fantasy trilogy, Evolution. He wrote the project as a feature in 2014. At the end of 2018, Tariq wrapped post-production on Evolution as a short film and submitted to various film festivals. Evolution was accepted in a few festivals; Festival International du Film PanAfricain de Cannes, 11th Annual Charlotte Black Film Festival, and Zozimo Bulbul in Rio Brazil.

Tariq’s television and film experience has ranged from Set Production Assistant, Office Production Assistant, Producer’s Assistant and currently Script Coordinator. Currently Tariq is staffed as a Script Coordinator on BMF Season 2. Tariq continues to work in the film and television industry obtaining knowledge to enhance his filmmaking skills.