Private Project

KICKS

KICKS focuses on a chance collision that has a big impact on two New Yorkers in this bittersweet, intergenerational tale touching on themes of vulnerability, loss, and coming-of-age.

  • Yemisi Brookes
    Director
    Generation Hustle (HBO), Beanie Mania (HBO)
  • Abby Ajayi
    Writer
    Riches, How to Get Away with Murder
  • Yemisi Brookes
    Producer
  • Eisa Davis
    Key Cast
    "Mrs. Cruz"
    Succession (HBO), Mare of Easttown (HBO)
  • Maliq Johnson
    Key Cast
    "Maliq"
    Grand Army, When They See Us
  • Taliyah Whitaker
    Key Cast
    "Taliyah"
    She's Gotta Have It, The Bug Diaries
  • Abby Ajayi
    Executive Producer
  • Rosie Blair
    Story Producer
  • Kate Geller
    Casting Director
  • Ling Mai
    Director of Photography
  • Ryan Masyn
    Director of Photography
  • Gunnar Larson
    Production Designer
  • Meredith Charney
    Associate Producer
  • Ashley Roby
    Editor
  • Matthew Buckley
    Editor
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Coming of Age
  • Runtime:
    6 minutes 20 seconds
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Woodstock Film Festival
    Woodstock, New York
    October 1, 2023
    World Premiere
    In Competition for Oscar-Qualifying Best Short Narrative Award
Director Biography - Yemisi Brookes

I’ve spent the last 15 years directing emotional, evocative, and stylish documentaries that highlight exciting subcultures and lesser-known communities. My recent credits include: ‘Tupac: A Life in Ten Pictures’ for the BBC, ‘Generation Hustle’ for HBO, and ‘Beanie Mania,’ a feature doc for HBO that had a Christmas release.

From the UK, I began my career at MTV as a shooter before becoming the youngest Director to work in the BBC's internationally renowned Specialist Documentary Unit. As well as directing for all the major streamers and networks, I have collaborated with Jigsaw, Mass Appeal, and Pulse Films. Commercially, I’ve worked with brands like Nike, Louis Vuitton, Jaguar Landrover, and talent including Jay-Z, Cardi B, and Muhammed Ali.

My latest project, an independent feature doc on the underground world of battle rap, is currently in Post, and is being EP’d by Drake. I live in NYC, and I’m repped by Shade Grant and Arielle Lever at CAA, and Lowell Shapiro at Black Box Management.

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