Frances Nkara

Nkara was prepared not only for composing films, but for inventing new ways to make them, by learning
to venture into the unknown and finding new ideas through early intensive training and publication in
experimental science at the University of California, Berkeley and at the University of Gothenburg,
Sweden. Extending this experimental approach into art, she turned to nonverbal and body-centered media
to deepen the physical-psychological underpinnings of imagery and stories. With hand-picked mentors,
she trained in cinematic arts, writing, performance, music, dance, movement improvisation, meditation
practices, bodywork (CMT), and culinary invention as a vegetarian chef. These diverse perspectives
inspired the creation of performances and films that explored the body-based nature of our minds and its
role in cultural change. Nkara's film Downpour Resurfacing premiered at Sundance, and is distributed
through New Day Films, where, in the service of promoting others' work for social impact, she is a
member-owner and has served as financial director. Nkara also developed the traditional craft of narrative
fiction filmmaking while freelancing. As California Governor Jerry Brown’s radio producer, she delved
into political psychology. She extended this cultural inquiry through studies in cognitive linguistics with
George Lakoff at UC Berkeley, and as dramaturge to Sara Kraft’s HyperReal. This line of research
culminated in a PhD from UC Berkeley, in Psychology with a Designated Emphasis in Film and Media. In
support of other filmmakers, Nkara mentors, offers guest lectures at universities.

Nkara was prepared not only for composing films, but for inventing new ways to make them, by learning
to venture into the unknown and finding new ideas through early intensive training and publication in
experimental science at the University of California, Berkeley and at the University of Gothenburg,
Sweden. Extending this experimental approach into art, she turned to nonverbal and body-centered media
to deepen the physical-psychological underpinnings of imagery and stories. With hand-picked mentors,
she trained in cinematic arts, writing, performance, music, dance, movement improvisation, meditation
practices, bodywork (CMT), and culinary invention as a vegetarian chef. These diverse perspectives
inspired the creation of performances and films that explored the body-based nature of our minds and its
role in cultural change. Nkara's film Downpour Resurfacing premiered at Sundance, and is distributed
through New Day Films, where, in the service of promoting others' work for social impact, she is a
member-owner and has served as financial director. Nkara also developed the traditional craft of narrative
fiction filmmaking while freelancing. As California Governor Jerry Brown’s radio producer, she delved
into political psychology. She extended this cultural inquiry through studies in cognitive linguistics with
George Lakoff at UC Berkeley, and as dramaturge to Sara Kraft’s HyperReal. This line of research
culminated in a PhD from UC Berkeley, in Psychology with a Designated Emphasis in Film and Media. In
support of other filmmakers, Nkara mentors, offers guest lectures at universities.