Malakai

Malakai is an artist, director and philanthropist who has made it her mission to be a disruptor by telling world-building and fantastical narratives that turn archetypes of the black diaspora on it's head. A desert born afropunk with a deep love of technology and afro-futurism. Malakai received her start within the narrative world in 2016, as one of the Sundance Horizon Award Winners, where she was mentored by Cassian Elwes, Christine Vachone and Lynette Howell for her short film, Suffering. She is also one of the 2019 ATT Hello Lab Directing fellows, where her recent short film, Postmarked was produced by Lena Waithe and Rishi Rajani, starring Loretta Devine, Rob Morgan and Jaylin Fletcher. The film was also distributed by Direct TV.

In addition to being an auteur, Malakai is also the founder of the 501(c)3 non-profit , Made In Her Image. A movement based towards social equity within film, media and technology. Launched in 2018 within Los Angeles & Phoenix, AZ, MIHI is based towards empowering young women and non-binary youth of color by arming them with the tools they need to be media disruptors. MIHI has partnered with the likes of CAA, Sundance, ATT, Panavision, Disney, Universal, Ford, Paramount and many others. In addition to this, Made In Her Image will be awarded at SXSW (2020) for their work within the fields of diversity and creating a pipeline of learning and educational empowerment.

Malakai's most recent short film Souls (2019), starring Tabitha Brown has received wide acclaim and acknowledgement at festivals such as American Black Film Festival, Reel Sisters, Pan African Film Festival and most recently Cinequest. Her most recent art endeavors were recognized at the Phoenix Art Museum where she was awarded as a Contemporary Forum Artist for her three-channel art film installation on death and mortality through the eyes of blackness.