Stonz Walters
- Director
- Writer
- Producer
Stonz Walters, born Rufus Gbor, was born in Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa. He is the third of eight children born unto the union of Martha and Rufus Gbor. Rufus and his siblings experienced the dire circumstances of homelessness, drifting for days without food or water as brutal civil war engulfed his country.
At the age of fifteen, Rufus immigrated to the United States and settled in Ansonia, Connecticut. After graduating from Ansonia High School in 2003, Rufus enrolled in Albertus Magnus College with a major in Criminal Justice. While living in the US was certainly a better situation for Rufus and his family, challenges remained. Rufus found himself struggling with the financial demands of higher education which forced him to drop out of college after completing half his Bachelor's studies and join the Navy. As a Machinist Mate, Rufus served aboard the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), the USS Bataan (LHD-5), and the USS Carl Vincent (CVN-70).
After four years of honorable service, Rufus moved to Hollywood, California and enrolled in the New York Film Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Filmmaking. While enrolled at the academy, Rufus started the non-profit, Liberian Youth in Film & Acting to help not only Liberians, but other Africans gain experience in the film industry. In 2016, Rufus and his business partner, Michael Sean Erickson started Erickson.Walters Productions and shot their first film The Forgiven (2016). The Forgiven was picked up by ITN Distribution and is currently streaming on Amazon Prime. Rufus is also known for Child Soldiers, (2018), Blended Family ((2018), and his award winning short film The Last Decision of President Duo (2012).
At the age of fifteen, Rufus immigrated to the United States and settled in Ansonia, Connecticut. After graduating from Ansonia High School in 2003, Rufus enrolled in Albertus Magnus College with a major in Criminal Justice. While living in the US was certainly a better situation for Rufus and his family, challenges remained. Rufus found himself struggling with the financial demands of higher education which forced him to drop out of college after completing half his Bachelor's studies and join the Navy. As a Machinist Mate, Rufus served aboard the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), the USS Bataan (LHD-5), and the USS Carl Vincent (CVN-70).
After four years of honorable service, Rufus moved to Hollywood, California and enrolled in the New York Film Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Filmmaking. While enrolled at the academy, Rufus started the non-profit, Liberian Youth in Film & Acting to help not only Liberians, but other Africans gain experience in the film industry. In 2016, Rufus and his business partner, Michael Sean Erickson started Erickson.Walters Productions and shot their first film The Forgiven (2016). The Forgiven was picked up by ITN Distribution and is currently streaming on Amazon Prime. Rufus is also known for Child Soldiers, (2018), Blended Family ((2018), and his award winning short film The Last Decision of President Duo (2012).
