The human behindthe machine
At a glance
- Founder, Ric Mathis Ai — Atlanta, Georgia
- FAA Part 107 Certified Remote Pilot
- Two-Time Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
- 20+ years in visual storytelling and photojournalism
- Documentary director, producer and cinematographer
- AI workshop instructor and keynote speaker
Dr. Ric Mathis is an award-winning filmmaker, producer, photographer, multimedia journalist, FAA Part 107 drone pilot, AI creator, educator, and founder of Ric Mathis Ai.
With more than 20 years of experience in visual storytelling and photojournalism, Ric has created documentary films, cultural media, commercial productions, photography, interviews, branded content, and community-centered stories.
Known as the “Documentary King,” Ric's work explores culture, economics, health, history, technology, legacy, and the experiences of communities whose stories deserve to be seen.
His current work combines traditional filmmaking with artificial intelligence, augmented reality, digital production, and emerging creative tools. Through films, workshops, and speaking engagements, he helps creators move from an idea to a finished cinematic experience.
“Technology does not replace the storyteller. It expands what the storyteller can imagine.”
For more than two decades, Dr. Ric Mathis has used cameras, journalism, documentary filmmaking, photography, and community-centered media to tell stories that matter. Today, he is combining that experience with artificial intelligence to produce cinematic work faster, smarter, and without traditional creative limitations.
No camera.No crew.Just AI and vision.
Years of Visual Storytelling
Films and Documentaries Produced
AI Visuals Created
Workshops and Trainings Led
Communities Impacted
Interviews Produced
Creative Collaborations
Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awards
A career built on story and service
- Two-time recipient
Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award
President's Volunteer Service Award program
Recognition for sustained volunteer service and community contribution, awarded to Dr. Ric Mathis on two separate occasions.
- 2023
Atlanta Fulton County Arts Proclamation
Fulton County / City of Atlanta
Proclamation honoring Dr. Ric Mathis's contribution to the arts and to cultural storytelling in Atlanta.
- 2016
Distinguished Visitor Award
City of Miami
Civic recognition presented during work in Miami acknowledging Dr. Mathis's media and community contributions.
- [ADD DATE]
Hip Hop Film Festival Recognition
Hip Hop Film Festival — New York
Recognition from the Hip Hop Film Festival in New York for documentary and cultural filmmaking.
- [ADD DATE]
Pan African Film Festival Recognition
Pan African Film Festival
Recognition from the Pan African Film Festival for documentary work centered on culture and community.
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Altera Art: ATL — Selected Creator and Award Recipient
Altera Art: ATL
Selected as a featured creator and award recipient within the Altera Art: ATL program.
- 2026
AI Film Experience Finalist — Atlanta 2026 World Cup Season
[TO BE CONFIRMED]
Finalist and creator in an AI film experience presented during Atlanta's 2026 World Cup season.
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Additional Film, Civic and Community Recognitions
[TO BE CONFIRMED]
Further festival selections, civic citations and community honors. Supply titles, years and issuing organizations to list them individually.
Associations and recognitions — not endorsements
Rolling Out
Cover and editorial work
Atlanta Black Expo
Past association
Atlanta Black Chambers
Past association
Ocean 89
Past association
Altera Art: ATL
Selected creator, award recipient
Hip Hop Film Festival
Festival recognition
Pan African Film Festival
Festival recognition
Let's create somethingthat doesn't exist yet.
Tell us what you are imagining. Ric Mathis Ai will help you turn it into a cinematic experience.
- Studio
- Atlanta, Georgia
- General
- hello@ricmathis.ai
- Press
- press@ricmathis.ai
- Speaking
- speaking@ricmathis.ai