Akil DuPont is an award-winning storyteller whose work in theatre and film has earned him 36 accolades across 51 festivals, including two Student Emmys. His films have screened in over 60 countries, and in 2014, he was ranked #7 among the top 100 indie filmmakers worldwide.

 

Akil’s creative journey is deeply rooted in honoring legacy. His acclaimed short film Underground was transformed into a stirring musical that pays homage to his ancestors.

 

The evolution of Underground has been marked by standout milestones:

 

🌟 2015: Underground made its World Premiere as the Closing Night Event of the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival, setting the stage for its powerful legacy

🎭 In 2016, it was directed in New York City by TONY Award winner Ben Harney in partnership with the Negro Ensemble Company

🎶 That same year, it launched the inaugural Atlanta Musical Theatre Festival

🎓 In 2017, it was staged by North Carolina Central University

🏡 In 2019, it returned to Akil’s hometown of Tallahassee as a concert production with the Cross-Cultural Coalition
🏆 2024: Honored with Best Production at the New York Theater Festival, affirming its artistic excellence on a national stage
🌊 2025: Partnered with Stony Brook University’s Southampton campus for a full-scale community production, expanding its reach and impact even further

 

From its roots as a short film to its transformation into a musical that honors ancestral legacy, Underground continues to grow—bridging communities, generations, and artistic disciplines with every new chapter.

 

Beyond his creative endeavors, Akil has contributed extensively to the film and television industry in Tallahassee, Atlanta, and New York. He currently serves as a Professor at Pace University and the New York Film Academy, and has taught at numerous institutions including Georgia Film Academy at Pinewood Film Studio.

 

A proud native of Tallahassee, Florida, Akil holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Florida A&M University (FAMU) and an MFA in Film Production from Florida State University (FSU).