Nia Dacosta

Nia DaCosta was born on November 8, 1989, in Brooklyn, New York City, and raised in Harlem. Her inclination towards storytelling was evident from a young age. She pursued her education at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, graduating in 2011, and later obtained a master’s degree from London’s Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. DaCosta commenced her career as a television production assistant, gaining early experience working on productions such as “Shark Loves the Amazon” (2011), “I Love the 1880s” (2012), and “Ke$ha: My Crazy Beautiful Life” (2013). This foundational experience allowed her to work alongside notable filmmakers like Martin Scorsese, Steve McQueen, and Steven Soderbergh. Subsequently, she transitioned into writing short films, including “Livelihood” (2014) and “Celeste” (2014), laying the groundwork for her feature-length debut.

DaCosta’s feature film directorial and writing debut came with “Little Woods” (2018), a crime thriller that earned her the Nora Ephron Prize for Female Filmmakers at the Tribeca Film Festival. The film, distributed by Neon, gained critical acclaim and highlighted her ability to craft compelling narratives. Following “Little Woods,” she directed two episodes of the British thriller series “Top Boy” in 2019. A significant career milestone was achieved when DaCosta directed and co-wrote “Candyman” (2021), a spiritual sequel to the 1992 horror classic, produced by Jordan Peele. This film made her the first Black female director to have a film debut at number one at the U.S. box office. In 2020, DaCosta was selected to direct “The Marvels” (2023) for Marvel Studios, making her the youngest director and the first Black woman to helm an MCU film. Although “The Marvels” faced commercial challenges, it still became the highest-grossing film directed by a Black woman, surpassing previous records. Her work on “The Marvels” showcased her capability to manage large-scale productions within a major franchise.

Looking ahead, DaCosta is involved in several projects, including a film adaptation of the play “Hedda Gabler,” titled “Hedda” (2025), which reunites her with actress Tessa Thompson. She is also slated to direct “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” (2026), part of the “28 Days Later” film series. Her consistent engagement in diverse cinematic projects, from independent films to major studio blockbusters, demonstrates her versatile filmmaking capabilities and her continued influence in the industry. Her career is marked by a steady progression of increasing responsibilities and impactful contributions to film.