Hailing from Waukegan, Illinois (hometown of both Ray Bradbury and Jack
Benny), Theophilus' "baptism of film" occured in 1977 when he shot his
first Super-8 film with friends from rival gangs; the assembly turned
into a riot consequently dispersed by the police.
A multi-talented filmmaker, Theophilus ardently supports local
non-profit and community-based organizations by conducting media
workshops for urban youth.
Having worked for several prestigious film festivals (Sundance, SXSW,
Chicago Int'l Film Festival), he serves on the advising board of
AmetFest, named in honor of forgotten film pioneer/inventor Edward
Amet, and FAN Fest, Chicago's premiere Filipino film festival.
Theophilus Jamal's birthday coincides with that of American
cinematographer James Wong Howe and the anniversary of Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr.'s March on Washington.