CREATIVITY. CURIOSITY. CONSCIOUSNESS.

Transforming Consciousness through Storytelling

Marc J. Francis is an internationally recognised filmmaker, speaker and thought leader whose work explores the intersection of creativity, curiosity and consciousness. 

Over the past two decades, he has directed and produced groundbreaking documentaries that have premiered at Sundance, BBC, Netflix, and cinemas worldwide. He is celebrated for weaving profound insights into compelling narratives, inviting audiences into transformative conversations about our relationship to self, and the world around us. 

Marc’s work is deeply informed by his lifelong exploration of consciousness and the human psyche. He has spent years studying Zen Buddhism under Thich Nhat Hanh, undertaken a decade-long deep engagement with Jungian psychoanalysis, and completed a three-year shamanic practitioner training, which led him to be buried alive in a grave in the woods at night as part of a profound initiatory experience. These experiences have added a contemplative dimension to Marc’s body of work.

His early work earned him accolades as one of Harper’s Bazaar's, ‘Household names of the future’, and recognition from the Observer newspaper as one of ‘Britain’s Rising Stars’, solidifying his position as a pioneering filmmaker.

Early on in his career, Marc, alongside his brother Nick Francis, established Speakit, their  production company committed to shaping the landscape of impactful storytelling. Their first feature documentary, 'Black Gold,' lauded by the LA Times as ‘riveting and jaw dropping’, premiered at Sundance to critical acclaim, inspiring a new wave of socially conscious documentaries. 

Following this success, Marc leveraged his Chinese linguistic ability and expertise in Chinese culture, to direct 'When China Met Africa,' a landmark multi-European broadcast collaboration with the BBC, Arte, and the Sundance Institute. It was characterised by the Times of London as "a rare, grass-roots view into one of the most important economic developments of the age", and demonstrated Marc’s unique ability to portray diverse perspectives and cross-cultural narratives.

His search for meaning culminated in gaining unprecedented access to the world-renowned Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh for the production of "Walk With Me," narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch. Co-directed by Max Pugh, it was described by The New York Times as "cooling to the mind and soothing to the spirit”.  The film premiered at the SXSW Film Festival and the BFI London Film Festival, eventually becoming a box-office hit and captivating audiences on Netflix and Amazon.

His ongoing film project explores the transformative power of love, grief, and creativity, weaving the compelling narrative of Elizabeth Gilbert, author of 'Eat, Pray, Love,' and her former lover, the late Rayya Elias.

Beyond film directing and producing, Marc is also an author of the best selling mindfulness audiobook 'Walk With Me In Sound,' published by Penguin Random House, has reached global audiences on Audible and Spotify, offering a meditative exploration of presence and self-discovery. He is currently writing his upcoming memoir Documentary Diaries that distills the wisdom gained from his artistic and spiritual journey.

His influence also extends to the global stage, being a featured speaker at prominent events, as well as making appearances on podcasts and international television channels, ranging from the BBC to CNN.