Níkẹ Uche Kadri is the Founder of media production company Dagbasi Productions and a trans/genderqueer, first-generation Nigerian, award-winning actor, writer, and filmmaker from the South. Níkẹ has been writing, performing, and obsessed with books since they were four years old. 

Níkẹ’s mission is to create and take part in work that challenges and moves forward social consciousness. They want to inspire empathy in everyone and offer validation and healing for those who are marginalized. Níkẹ believes that transformative work happens on screen, behind the scenes, and by creating opportunity for those who have been systematically disenfranchised to succeed.

Níkẹ’s first short film By the Tide (2017) followed a queer protagonist struggling with depression. Níkẹ made their directorial debut with their second short film Her First Kill (2018) – Best Director (iHolly) which is now a pilot for a limited series. Níkẹ’s upcoming third short Pink & Blue (2020) is an LGBT Toronto Film Festival Screenplay Winner 2019. Níkẹ’s fourth short film Ascension (2020) was chosen for the BRIC Black Box Filmmaking Intensive and will be fully funded by BRIC. All of their work passes the Bechdel, Ava DuVernay, and/or Vitto Russo Tests.

Níkẹ was an Artist-in-Residence (Winter 2020) at The Lark via New York Stage and Film for their screenwriting work and has more projects in development. 

As an actor, (selected credits) Níkẹ has performed Off-Broadway at The Signature Theater, Classic Stage Company… and regionally at The Guthrie Theater, Chicago Shakespeare, The McCarter Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville...and they can be seen on CBS ALL ACCESS, HBO, and Netflix. 

Níkẹ is a graduate of The University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater B.F.A. Actor Training Program. Níkẹ is also a Drama Desk Award Winner (2018) and martial artist.