Kira Powell Actor & Writer/Director Kira Powell is a multi-hyphenate storyteller—an actor, director, and writer committed to crafting narratives that challenge perspectives and resonate on a deeply human level. Born and raised in Boston, MA, she is of African American and Ecuadorian descent, a heritage that informs her work’s rich exploration of identity, belonging, and self-discovery.
A Directors Guild of America Jury Award winner, Kira earned the prestigious honor for Outstanding Directing for her AFI thesis film, Best Eyes—starring Sage Wynters and Jackie Cruz (Orange Is the New Black). The film was recognized for its poignant storytelling and sharp visual language, establishing her as a filmmaker to watch. The film is now in development as a feature. The feature script was a second-round contender for the Sundance Development Track and a finalist for a Sundance Collab Residency.
In 2023, her psychological horror short, The Good Mother, premiered at Screamfest Horror Film Festival. In 2021, she wrote and performed her award-winning one-woman show, Caught In The Mix, a piece exploring Black-Latinx identity that was staged at multiple theatrical venues and recognized for its social impact.
As an actress, Kira delivered a standout performance as the eccentric artist “Lizzy” in the indie feature The Endless, directed by filmmakers Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead. A SAG-AFTRA performer with over a decade of experience, she has appeared in dozens of national and international commercials. Her commercial work includes collaborations with acclaimed directors such as Larry Charles, Nicolai Fuglsig, Wayne McClammy, and John Hillcoat. She has also brought her talents to the stage, performing in numerous productions across Los Angeles.
A graduate of the American Film Institute (AFI) with an MFA in Directing, Kira’s work is driven by a fierce commitment to representation, centering stories on identity, the immigrant experience, and the intricate complexities of the human condition. With multiple projects in development—including her feature film debut—she continues to push the boundaries of storytelling, creating work that is thought-provoking and emotionally impactful.