A multitalented award-winning artist

After graduating from high school, Maharaki studies “Visual Arts and Fine Arts Techniques” at L’Ecole Regionale d’Arts Visuels de la Martinique. In 1999, she moves to Barbados primarily to improve her English; but, while in Barbados, she continues her studies at the Barbados Community College, completing a course in Interior Design. In 2001, Maharaki leaves Barbados for France to study filmmaking at The International Film School of Paris. She graduates in May 2004 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Motion Picture Directing.

The painter… Between 1998 and 2004, Maharaki participates in 3 collective exhibits, presents 5 solo exhibits and organizes a performance in the streets of Fort-de-France, the capital of Martinique. She contributes her artistic talents to numerous projects for the Children’s Rights Defense Association “Enfance et Partage” and twice to the Martinique annual carnival festival. In February 2003, she is invited to exhibit in Portugal during the Martinique week at Leer Devagar Bookstore in Lisbon. In December 2004, Maharaki organizes and shows her work in a marathon exhibition incorporating 250 pieces of art from 56 artists. 5000€ of the sales from the event were donated to “Telethon” (Genetic Research Foundation). Throughout the years, Maharaki’s paintings have been acquired by international buyers and spread all around the world. (Martinique, France, England, Tahiti, Barbados, Portugal, U.S.A…) Currently, her paintings are exhibited in the art gallery at the Royal Westmoreland Golf Club and “On The Wall” at Champers Restaurant in Barbados. The filmmaker… In 2002, Maharaki directs her first short film entitled, INNOCENTS. This film is nominated in several International Film Festivals, such as the 2003 FESPACO in Burkina Faso and “Vues d’Afrique, 2003” in Quebec. In 2004, she is awarded the Grand Jury Prize of her Film School’s annual showcase for the directing of her short film, DIG IT. The film also receives the award for “Best Acting Performance”. Maharaki receives her prize at “La Cinémathèque de Paris” before a panel of 15 international TV and motion picture professionals, including the guest of honor, American

director, Oliver Stone. This award provides Maharaki with professional equipment from the TSF Group to shoot her next short film in Paris. As a result of this award, DIG IT is recognized officially by a number of film festivals around the world. In April 2006, Maharaki is invited to return to Barbados to direct the Barbados National Cultural Foundation’s award winning script, HOLDING ON. In February 2007, Maharaki receives “Le Prix Lumina Sophie” for her script, VIVRE. This award is presented to her at “Le Palais des Congrès de Madiana” by Mrs Arlette PUJAR, member of “Le Conseil General de la Martinique”. Immediately on her return to Barbados in March, she directs “The Rihanna Behind the Scenes photo shoot” for the American magazine, In Style. In December 2008, she is invited to join the panel of judges of the second edition of the Barbados International Film Festival. The following year, she is a jury member at the Caribbean Broadcasting Awards. The year after, the music video “To the other side” that she directed for the artist Indrani, is nominated at the 2011 Barbados Music Awards in the category “Music video of the year”. In 2011 her short film, "Un achat compulsif" translated "A Compulsive Purchase" wins the Audience Prize and Special Jury Mention for Humour at The Festival Prix de Court. The film was shot & edited in 48 hours with no other equipment but a small handycam and a laptop, no professional actor and no financial support. Based in Barbados, Maharaki freelances throughout the Caribbean, producing and directing music videos, advertisements and short TV formats. She is regularly solicited to assist overseas productions in Barbados. (Caterpillar with Shontelle, Avon Cosmetics ad…) Pursuing her dreams of cinema, Maharaki is currently working on the production of her award winning script VIVRE. The film produced by Arts et Vision Productions and Rock Rose will be shot in Martinique and Guadeloupe. It is supported by the Regional Council of Martinique and Guadeloupe, the Martinican Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Cultural. The film project was presented at the 2012 Cannes Film festival. Maharaki is also actively consulting with production companies to finance her first feature film.

For more information log on www.maharaki.com