CYPHER: JENN NKIRU

A space for creativity, new perspectives and collective exchange.

What happens when creative minds come together to share ideas, challenge perspectives and inspire one another?

Rooted in the spirit of hip-hop culture, the Black Soil Cypher is an intimate gathering that brings together bicultural filmmakers, writers, producers and other creatives for an open exchange of ideas, experiences and artistic perspectives.

Much like a traditional hip-hop cypher, where artists build on each other’s energy through improvisation and collaboration, this gathering creates a space where creativity flows freely, conversations unfold organically and new connections emerge.

For this special edition, Black Soil welcomes Jenn Nkiru, the Nigerian-British filmmaker and visual artist whose groundbreaking work moves between cinema, music and contemporary art.

Known for her distinctive visual language, Nkiru explores the intersections of Black identity, cultural memory, spirituality and history. Drawing on Afrofuturism, experimental cinema and the Black Arts Movement, she creates richly layered films that challenge traditional storytelling and open up new ways of seeing the world.

From her early collaborations with cinematographer Bradford Young and artist Arthur Jafa to directing Beyoncé’s Grammy-winning Brown Skin Girl, Nkiru has developed a singular artistic voice that transcends genres and disciplines.

Through an exploration of her creative journey, influences and filmmaking practice, this Cypher invites participants into a conversation about artistic freedom, representation, creative independence and the possibilities of storytelling beyond conventional cinematic boundaries.

More than a conversation, the Black Soil Cypher is a space to connect, exchange and inspire the next generation of storytellers.