Ekwa Msangi

Ekwa Msangi is a faculty member in the MFA in Film program at Vermont College of Fine Arts (VCFA). With a BFA and MA from New York University, she specializes in film directing and screenwriting, blending narrative storytelling with African cultural contexts.

• Education:
  • BFA | New York University, Tisch School of Arts
  • MA | New York University, Gallatin School of Individualized Study

Her work focuses on drama and comedy film production, with a strong emphasis on transnational narratives and diasporic themes. Ekwa has received critical acclaim for her feature film Farewell Amor, which premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival and achieved a 98% Rotten Tomatoes score.

Recent projects include a futuristic adaptation of The Scarlet Letter titled When She Woke, a biopic on tennis champion Althea Gibson, and collaborations with studios like 30West, Archer Grey, and Mandalay Pictures.

Accolades

• Jerome Foundation Grant
• Tribeca All Access Fellowship
• Cine Qua Non Lab Fellowship
• IFP/No Borders
• Sundance Feature Film Development Fellowship
• Indie Spirit 'Someone To Watch' Award
• BAFTA Breakthrough
• USA Artist Fellow
• ReFrame Rise Director Fellow

Ekwa has directed episodes for television series such as Disney’s Growing Up, STARZ’s Three Women, and Hulu’s Saint X season finale. Her films have been distributed by IFC Films, MUBI, and Netflix globally.