Tayler Montague is a filmmaker, writer, curator and native New Yorker. A graduate of SUNY Purchase with a degree in Communications, Montague seeks to tell stories that place Black people front and center, building upon the legacy of Black storytelling she grew up with. Her foray into the film industry began with her background in cultural criticism and programming. Her writing has appeared in publications such as Film Comment, The Fader, and Reverse Shot. She has cut her teeth as a curator, programming at various institutions such as BAM & Alamo Drafthouse. In the interim, she also worked in the curatorial departments at many of the city’s beloved cultural centers such as MoMA, The Studio Museum in Harlem, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

In Sudden Darkness is Tayler’s debut film, after years of dreaming about the opportunity to step behind the camera, it is now a reality. She’s extremely grateful to her familial and artistic community for coming together to help her make her debut. The film has since played at festivals such as BlackStar Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, 58th New York Film Festival, AFI Fest, Indie Memphis Film Festival, New Orleans Film Festival (Jury Award Best Narrative Short), Nicho 54 (Nicho Novembro) + continuing its journey. It’s part of her mission to honor Black figures, showcase Black love, and build community through shared viewing experiences. 

Tayler is currently working on her pilot & interested in making a foray into television directing.