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Hi Creatives! This week we chat with storyteller Nia Malika Dixon who shares her creative journey and how she moves with purpose. Nia shares her journey to LA, finding her own production company, and creating and launching a film festival.
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I want to jump right in to today's guest, but before we do a few announcements…
- We are trending in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Nigeria, Uganda, and United Arab Emirates. To all our new listeners, welcome and thank you!
- Thank you to everyone who has reached out to share their side hustles with me. I love the engagement and can't wait to continue the conversation on the next episode
- I've started a new podcast with a good buddy – it's called radio rejects. We go live every other Sunday on Facebook. Join our Facebook page so you don't miss our next episode – Radio Rejects Live
- And lastly, I have big news! On December 11th I will be the keynote speaker at a virtual event called Unstoppable! The focus of the event is to leave the heaviness of 2020 behind you and enter 2021 feeling recharged and refreshed. If you want more information on this event check out my Instagram or LinkedIn for details.
OK let's get to today's special guest.
Who is Nia Malika Dixon
Nia Malika Dixon is an award-winning filmmaker on a mission to amplify diverse stories from underrepresented communities authentically in Hollywood, especially the voices of Black Muslim women. With over 15 years in the film industry, the Baltimore native hones her craft as the founder of Audaz Entertainment, where she writes, directs and produces content for television, film and digital platforms, specifically highlighting stories representing Black Muslim women and girls.
Under Audaz Entertainment, Dixon has released several projects, including short films Shattered Lenses, #BlackMuslimGirlFly: A Butterfly Amidst Iniquity and Temporary Loss of Power. Dixon creates work to cultivate deeper cultural understanding and connections in our local and global communities.
Next week, on December 13th, Nia will be producing the third annual Black Muslim Girl Fly Festival dedicated to amplifying cinematic works both established and emerging Black Muslim women filmmakers and creative talent, exploring diverse and underrepresented stories of the African diaspora across film, TV and digital platforms around the world.
BMGFly Festival program highlights include a diverse panel of film industry professionals, including producer/actress and musical performances.
Key panelists include writers, directors, and producers from Dear White People, Jinn, and the Blacklist.
The festival will be held virtually this year at seedandspark.com/BMGFlyFest
I'll put all the details in the show notes.
So what are we waiting for….let's get started!
Key Questions Answered by Nia Malika Dixon:
- How to produce content on a budget
- Why Nia started a production company
- Best advice Nia has received
- Nia's definition of success
- Who has inspired Nia
- Habit that's helped Nia on her journey
- What's one thing Nia wish she knew before embarking on her creative journey
- What does Nia want her legacy to be
Nia Malika Dixon discusses:
- How Nia prepared to move to LA – financially and mentally
- How she learned to produce films
- The importance of having a community
- Her film festival – Black Muslim Girl Fly Festival and why she created it
- How to stay true to your ethics, values, and religion
Key Takeaways from Nia Malika Dixon:
- As long as you have an idea and no doubt, you can do it
- Always move with purpose
- Share your stories
What is the Black Muslim Girl Fly Film Festival
The Black Muslim Girl Fly Film Festival (BMFF) is an annual one-day event of film showcases that profile stories by Black Muslim Girl filmmakers and creative talent in the film, television and digital space. Originally founded in February 2018 with the purpose of creating a platform to showcase film content by Black Muslim women filmmakers, BMFF is also designed to create opportunities to network with industry professionals and cultivate community among Black Muslim Girls in film around the world.
On a mission to expand cinematic narratives to be more inclusive of Black women and shine a light on untold stories, the annual festival showcases dramas, documentaries, short films and episodic projects that tell the stories of Black Muslim women across the globe. Program highlights also include a diverse panel of film industry professionals and consultants, and a musical performance. Past speakers have included CEO of GameChanger, Effie T. Brown, Pearl Street Films' Development Executive, Fanshen Cox, in addition to guest judges like Blacklist actor, Hisham Tawfiq, Director and Producer, Oz Scott. Performers including Alia Sharrief and Sa-Roc The Goddess MC have been a part of the Festival lineup.
This year at the Black Muslim Girl Fly Film Festival:
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Thembisa Mshaka
Panelists include: Producer/actress Amatus Karim-Ali, award winning writer/director Nijla Mu'min (JINN), writer/director Qasim Basir (MOOZ-LUM), trans-media activist/filmmaker Sultan Sharrief and filmmaker Malikah A. Shabazz (CONSTERNATION).
Judges include: TV/Film producer Effie T. Brown (DEAR WHITE PEOPLE), award-winning actor/producer Fanshen Cox (Pearl Street Films), producer/director Quan Lateef-Hill (BLACK GIRLS ROCK) and actor Hisham Tawfiq (NBC's "THE BLACKLIST)
Key takeaways:
- Move with purpose
- Hire people to help you
- Find a community
- Throw yourself into situations to learn
- Attend the Black Muslim Girl Fly Festival on December 13th
Know go flex your creative muscle and keep winning
