Tchaiko Omawale

Tchaiko s filmmaking practice is inspired by her upbringing as a Third Culture Kid. It centers themes of magic, self-destruction and the interiority of Black women. Her debut feature film SOLACE was inspired by her experiences with an eating disorder. The film premiered at LA Film Festival and won Special Jury Mention for Best Ensemble Cast (Hope Olaide Wilson, Chelsea Tavares, Luke Rampersad, Sydney Bennett with Lynn Whitfield and Glynn Turman. Her short form projects include music videos, commercials and an experimental fantasy SITA inspired by Octavia Butler and Derek Jarmon. Tchaiko was awarded the Gaea Sea Change Residency for artists working for social change and was a 2017 School of Making Thinking Resident fellow where she created the VR film Shapeshifters. She is one of the Queen Sugar Season 4 directors chosen by Ava Duvernay. Tchaiko also directs commercials/branded content. You can view her work at www.tchaiko.com.