My name is Nikiiyah Gest.

I’m a filmmaker, storyteller, historian, curator, and creative from Cleveland. I graduated from Ohio University in 2019, and one year later, I made the career transition from education to film.

In 2022, I accepted a role at Sony Pictures Animation and moved to Los Angeles.

During my time in LA, I participated in the HBCU in LA Program, the Kidscreen Program, the Academy Gold Program, and Disney on the Yard. I’m currently directing and producing my debut documentary feature, Behind the Crown, which explores the personal journeys of African American women from Ohio who have competed in the Miss Ohio USA pageant.

My journey into film is nothing short of a miracle, shaped by God’s grace and blessings throughout my life. I hope my stories — and my path as a filmmaker — inspire other Black women, especially those from the Midwest, and creators who are often viewed as underdogs, to keep pushing forward no matter what obstacles come their way.