Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nadira Pankey. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Nadira thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Gerald’s Hands is a story that’s close to my heart. I wrote, directed, and produced it with the talented Andrew R. McCallister, who also starred in and produced the film. Our goal was to raise awareness about autism, and I’m proud to share that the story has not only touched many hearts but has also been honored with a Telly Award for best social impact film.

Nadira, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Nadira Pankey, a multi-award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker, and I’m also the proud owner of Bestrode Entertainment, a production company I founded in 2014. My life is a testament to unwavering determination and a relentless commitment to success, all set against the dynamic backdrop of New York City’s South Bronx.

The journey of my life had a challenging start; I graduated from high school with a third grade reading level and carried the responsibilities of being a single parent while juggling three jobs. Yet, my spirit remained unbroken, and I embarked on a path of self-improvement, starting with remedial reading courses in college. It was there that I unearthed my passion for writing, leading to the creation of the award-winning book “Evergreen Uprooted, Memoirs of Secret”. My academic journey reached its peak with an honors degree in Television Production and Media Studies.

My career soared to new heights when I became part of the esteemed NBCUniversal family. There, I contributed to popular shows like “The Steve Wilkos Show,” “Jerry Springer,” and “The Maury Show,” showcasing my versatility and unwavering dedication to my craft.

In search of a quieter life, I made the bold move to the suburbs, where I raised my children while continuing to excel in the entertainment industry. My work expanded to include collaborations with institutions like Divorce Court at Tyler Perry Studios, BET Award shows, and Netflix’s “Rhythm & Flow.”

My creative endeavors extended beyond the television screen, thriving as a freelance screenwriter and producer. In 2021, I worked as a producer for a comedy court show project, which later served as the inspirational foundation for the unscripted courtroom comedy series, “All Rise for Judge Steve Harvey.”

In 2014, I ventured into the world of filmmaking, directing my first Screen Actors Guild (SAG) feature film. Over the years, I garnered accolades for my work in both short and feature films. The pinnacle of my cinematic journey was the creation of “Gerald’s Hands,” a socially impactful feature film that received the prestigious 2023 Telly Award. This film sheds light on critical issues like autism, bullying, and domestic violence and is available on various streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime, Tubi, Plex, and Converse.

My skills span the entire spectrum of filmmaking, encompassing writing, producing, directing, editing, and much more. My journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and the transformative power of storytelling. I’m deeply committed to inspiring and impacting lives through the art of filmmaking.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had to learn to ignore the negative things people I admired said about me. Growing up, I often felt like I wasn’t good enough, especially when I struggled in a nursing class in high school. I really wanted to make my grandparents proud, but my teacher seemed to dislike me for some reason.

One day, she told me I would never pass her class, and that hit me hard. I started to doubt myself and ended up downgrading to the medical assistance program just because she didn’t believe in me. This kind of self-doubt stuck with me for a long time.

But then, I realized I needed to believe in myself. No matter what others said, I knew that if I worked hard and believed in my abilities, I could achieve anything. I want to tell anyone going through tough times to just believe in themselves and do what they love. As the Bible says, “Your gifts will make room for you.” It means that if you believe in yourself and work hard, good things will happen.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

As a child, I didn’t have much except a TV – my mom had sold everything for her struggles with addiction. That TV became my gateway to a different world through movies. Growing up in the tough South Bronx during the crack epidemic, movies became my escape, giving me hope and showing me there was more to life than my surroundings.

Now, my goal is to do the same for other kids, especially those facing tough situations. I want them to dream big and see beyond their immediate circumstances. When I was young, there were no programs for me, just the free lunch program. That’s why I’m passionate about creating an affordable arts program for everyone. I want to give students a top-notch education, inspire them to chase their dreams, and show them that there’s a whole world of possibilities beyond their current reality.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nazpankey.com
• Instagram: @nadira_pankey_studios
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/naz.pankey.9
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadira-pankey/
• Other: Gerald’s Hands (feature Movie Website) https://geraldshands.com Gerald’s Hands (Watch on’Tubi TV) https://tubitv.com/movies/709349/gerald-s-hands Gerald’s Hands Trailer: https://vimeo.com/743744476 Watch Short Films: https://vimeo.com/user157629002 Read Evergreen Uprooted, Memoirs of Secret: https://a.co/d/1UVoaPR

Image Credits
Gerald’s Hands Poster design by: Lavern Spruill Gerald’s Hands Logo design by: Marcus MWiL Wilson Cover Photo by: Perris Hull