Nnegest Likké

Biography

Nnegest Likké is a trailblazing American filmmaker renowned for her culturally rich and socially impactful storytelling. Born in Oakland, California, to an African-American civil rights activist and an Ethiopian freedom fighter, she grew up immersed in diverse cultures, which profoundly influence her work. A graduate of Clark Atlanta University with a B.A. in Mass Communications, Likké began her career as a high school teacher in Los Angeles, where she discovered her passion for mentoring at-risk youth. Her directorial debut, Phat Girlz (2006), starring Mo'Nique, made her one of the first women of color to write and direct a film distributed by a major Hollywood studio. She continued to garner acclaim with Ben & Ara (2015), which won Best Diaspora Film at the Africa Movie Academy Awards, and Everything But a Man (2019), which received the Audience Choice Award at the Pan African Film Festival. Likké also served as the lead writer for Netflix's A Sunday Affair (2023), which became the most-watched Nigerian film on the platform in the first half of the year. Through her production company, N’Vision Pictures, Likké continues to develop pioneering projects that bridge cultures and inspire audiences worldwide