PLACE:

New Orleans

BIO:

Nicole Collins is a creator! An award-winning filmmaker, she integrates narratives of personal and communal experiences and unique mental health experiences in her work to champion the liberation of and justice for Southern Black women. Born in Alexandria, her transformative 19 years in New Orleans forged her passion for entertainment and advocacy. After graduating from Dillard University, she hosted a top-rated show on Q93 FM & emceed for the New Orleans Pelicans over a decade’s time. With acting roles in HBO’s ‘Treme’, ‘Twelve Years a Slave,’ ‘The Burial’, and ‘Carry On’, Nicole has created, directed, and/or produced over 20 film projects. She created LOVEYours, a public-speaking workshop for girls through her non-profit, The Blooming Phoenix in 2016. In 2020, she created ‘Maternally Yours,’ a web series executive produced by Lil Rel Howery. In 2023, Nicole returned to radio as WBOK 1230 a.m.’s highly-rated ‘Good Morning Show’ co-host, where she created the monthly “Roots to Renaissance: Narratives of Growth and Greatness” series dedicated to the advancement of Black New Orleans. She continues her work in film as the marketing coordinator for Women Make Movies and as board president for NOVAC. Her latest film “The Space Between” is actively traveling the festival circuit. Nicole is the mother of 13-year-old actress Aadyn Encalarde & She collaborates with Black Bayou as a community liaison and project manager.

PROJECT:

“NUK,” a feature film, draws from the real-life experiences of my family, particularly my aunt and intellectually disabled cousin, Nukie. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the barriers she faced—from educational challenges to social stigma—exacerbated by systemic failures. This screenplay is my means of seeking justice and confronting these issues through the fictional yet relatable story of Nukie and her family’s struggle for dignity.

Set in Louisiana, the film unfolds as Nukie, her sister Leonette, and their mother Jeanette confront a society often indifferent to their plight. Their battle is intensified by a fight against medical malpractice, a critical issue that has directly affected their lives, shaping their journey through adversity and towards empowerment.

The narrative explores the family dynamics as they navigate through these challenges, with Leonette returning home to a family in crisis and a healthcare system that fails them. Their story catalyzes a confrontation with their past and a united front in their fight for a better future. Through their experiences, “NUK” highlights the harsh realities of living with an intellectual disability and the additional complications of medical negligence.

“NUK” is my call to action against indifference and injustice, a narrative that underscores the strength of familial bonds and the resilience of the human spirit in overcoming adversity. I am committed to using this film to inspire change and enhance understanding of these critical issues.

Nicole was also a RPPL Next Up Artist.
Check out her 23/24 project here.