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T.L. Benton is an award-winning filmmaker born in Wichita Kansas. A graduate of Howard University, T.L. serves as President of MECCA Filmworks. Benton has amassed a film career steeped in institutional storytelling. From his work with esteemed cultural institutions such as The Apollo Theater, ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵÃâ·Ñ°æapp, The Smithsonian Institution, and many others, T.L. Benton has directed and produced programs that have sustained and enriched the visual storytelling arc of these establishments. Alongside these efforts, his work as a director has won such awards as Best DC Film of 2020 (Afro Blue) at the DC Black Film Festival, Best Music Video at the 2021 Urban World Film Festival (North Star), and Best Student Documentary at the 2020 Detroit Black Film Festival.  

Benton’s career, while in its early stages, is developing and being propelled by his hope to enrich the lives of people by bridging cultural divides and supporting the stories of minorities and unsung communities. A touchstone of Benton’s catalog of work is his ability to cross the lines between institutional concord and trailblazing artistry. In addition to his work with valued cultural establishments, he has worked with award-winning artists such as Esperanza Spalding, Robert Glasper, D-Smoke, Maimouna Youssef, Afro Blue, and many others. Benton’s career is a continuum and is devoted entirely to vivid storytelling, culturally-shifting innovation, and a spirit of learning and evolving.