Mark Tonderai

MARK TONDERAI made his feature film writing and directing debut with the psychological thriller Hush after working as a groundbreaking writer, producer, director and on-air host of British radio and television shows.Distributed by Pathé International/Studio Canal in 2008, Hush travelled to multiple international festivals where it garnered numerous audience prizes. The film was also nominated for a British Independent Film Award and distributed in more than 25 international territories.

Born in London but raised in Zimbabwe, Tonderai attended Kingston University and University of North Carolina at Charlotte, graduating with a degree in architecture. He began his career as the writer, producer and host of "The Mark Tonderai Show" on BBC Radio 1. It was the first national radio show to introduce hip hop and R&B hits to the British public.

Next, Tonderai moved into producing comedy for Light Entertainment radio. His credits included "Alan Parker: Urban Warrior" for BBC Radio 1, "The Rainbow Nation" for BBC Radio 4 and topical sketch show "Weekending," for which Tonderai supervised a writing staff of 30.

After a short stint hosting the weekend breakfast show on London's Kiss 100.0 FM, Tonderai began writing, directing and editing for British television. His credits include "Homie and Away" for Channel 4, "The Beginner's Guide" for BBC2, "The Ian Wright Show" for ITV and "Prickly Heat" for Sky One. By 1998, Tonderai was writing, directing and starring in his own sketch show, "Uncut Funk," which aired on BBC 2.

Tonderai next moved into the film arena as a script reader for Robert Jones of the Premier Fund. I n 1999, he co-wrote and starred in the Film 4-financed dramedy Dog Eat Dog, co-starring Nathan Constance and David Oyelowo.

To gain more creative control over his work, Tonderai founded Shona Films in 2002 with partner Zoe Stewart. After the company acquired slate funding from the UK Film Council, Tonderai developed urban vampire project 10 Hours from Light and sold another script, PowerMike, to Company Pictures.

© 2012 Relativity Media