Meet Kyah Branch | Producer + Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kyah Branch and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kyah, why did you pursue a creative career?
Movies and TV have always meant more to me than just entertainment. They were a language of connection in my home. Growing up, our family didn’t always have the words to express what we were feeling, but we had stories. Every evening, we would gather around the dinner table with a show playing in the background. On weekends, we would go to the theater, the lights dimming as we all fell silent together. These became our rituals. They were moments that pulled us closer, that made us feel like a unit even when the world around us felt uncertain.
What stayed with me most wasn’t just the plot or characters. It was the feeling. Those stories gave us something to hold onto, even when we were not saying much to each other. As I got older and my family drifted apart, those moments became even more precious. The feeling they gave me never left. If anything, I began to hold onto it more tightly.
That feeling is what drives me now. I want to be part of creating stories that offer others what those stories gave to me. Whether it is comfort, perspective, or simply a moment of stillness, I believe a good film can make space for something real. Stories can open people up, help them feel seen, or just give them a moment of escape. And if I can contribute to that, if I can help bring someone a moment that stays with them long after the credits roll, then I know I am doing something meaningful. Something that matters.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets my art apart is that it is deeply rooted in lived experience. I don’t create for the sake of spectacle or surface. I create from a place of honesty, reflection, and emotional clarity. My stories come from paying close attention to life, with all its tension and stillness, its joy and heartbreak, and the truths that are often left unsaid. That grounded approach allows me to tell stories that feel real, layered, and emotionally resonant.
I’m especially drawn to representing women, particularly Black women, with the depth and complexity we deserve. Too often, our stories are simplified or filtered through perspectives that don’t fully understand us. I want to tell stories that show us completely. We are strong and vulnerable, powerful and gentle, brilliant and flawed, joyful and burdened. We are full human beings, and we are always deserving of space.
I’m proud that I have embraced my voice and presence without shrinking or softening myself to meet anyone else’s expectations. That decision has not always been easy. Working in this industry as a young Black woman often means entering spaces that were not built with you in mind. I have been overlooked and underestimated, and I have been placed in categories that never fit who I really am. But I never allowed those experiences to limit me. They pushed me to trust myself more deeply and to create with even greater purpose.
One of the most important lessons I have learned is the value of staying true to who you are. In environments that may try to reshape you or cause you to question your worth, there is tremendous strength in authenticity and confidence. When your work is honest, it connects. It reaches people in ways that are lasting and real.
My work is intentional and personal. I am not here only to entertain or impress. I want to reflect truth and create connection. I want others to feel seen, especially those who have rarely seen themselves represented with care and honesty. If someone walks away from something I have made feeling understood, comforted, or more confident in their own story, then I know I have done something meaningful.
This is not just a profession for me. It is a way to contribute something real and lasting to the world. I create with clarity and compassion. I tell stories with purpose and with heart.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend came to visit for a week, I would plan a mix of cozy and fun things that show off all my favorite parts of the city. We would probably start with a morning of thrifting in Little Five Points, checking out places like Rag O Rama and The Clothing Warehouse. After that, we would head to the Freedom Farmers Market at The Carter Center to grab some fresh produce, flowers, and a few pastries to snack on while we walk around.
Since I really love cooking and baking, we would take everything back to my place, make a full meal together, and then go to Piedmont Park for a picnic. We would find a quiet spot near the lake, lay out a blanket, and just hang out, eat, and talk while enjoying the view.
One night, we would go to Tara Theatre to catch a movie. It always has something interesting playing, and the old school vibe makes it feel special. Another day, we would meet up with some of my friends and play tennis at the park. It would not be super competitive, just something fun where we can move around and laugh a lot.
I would also plan a craft night. We could paint, make beaded jewelry, or do some things I have saved to my Pinterest boards. It would be relaxed and creative, and we would end up keeping whatever we make as a little memory.
And of course, we would have a classic movie night at home. We would bake way too many treats like cookies, brownies, and maybe a cake for no reason. Then we would binge episodes of 90 Day Fiancé and Love Island and have the most incredible debrief.
It would be the perfect mix of exploring, relaxing, and just doing all the things that make us happy. Simple moments, good food, and lots of laughs.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate this shoutout to my parents and my family, who have always been my biggest supporters. Thank you for believing in your silly little bundle of joy, even during the times when I struggled to believe in myself.

Shoutout to my Dad for working so hard to send me to a school where I can actually pursue what I love. Your dedication and sacrifices mean more to me than I can put into words, and I carry that with me every day.

Shoutout to my Mom for always encouraging me to be exactly who I am and for helping me realize just how special that truly is. Your love has taught me to stand tall in my uniqueness, and I am endlessly grateful for that.

And of course, shoutout to my whole family for putting up with me being such a firecracker all my life. Thank you for embracing the chaos, the passion, and all the loud laughter. I would not be who I am without you.

Instagram: @kyah_saywhatt

Linkedin: Kyah Branch on Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/kyah-branch-35090a293

Image Credits
Rhiannon Shakir