Niija Kuykendall is a feature film executive and producer with over 20 years of experience. She is known for her close relationships and partnerships with filmmakers, external collaborators and internal cross functional teams to help foster incredible, award winning story telling that impacts audiences around the globe. Several of the films Kuykendall has produced have gone on to win multiple awards, including Oscars, and remain a part of the popular culture zeitgeist. Kuykendall is a respected leader in the industry who serves as a mentor and advocate for underserved creative talent, executives and audiences.
Kuykendall most recently held the position of Vice President of Original Film at Netflix where she was a senior leader for the Original Film division. In her years at Netflix, Kuykendall launched and oversaw various film teams as well as managed production for high profile films such as PAIN HUSTLERS starring Emily Blunt, A FAMILY AFFAIR starring Nicole Kidman & Zac Efron, THE DELIVERANCE starring Andra Day, THE SIX TRIPLE EIGHT starring Kerry Washington, and THE PIANO LESSON starring Samuel L. Jackson & John David Washington.
Prior to Netflix, Kuykendall was the Executive Vice President, Production at Warner Bros. Pictures where she oversaw the production and release of films such as JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH, THE COLOR PURPLE MUSICAL, JUST MERCY, A STAR IS BORN, THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR, Stephen King’s IT, KONG: SKULL ISLAND, Guy Ritchie’s KING ARTHUR, as well as MAGIC MIKE 1 & 2.
Kuykendall is a graduate of Brown University and began her career in Corporate Communications for Viacom Inc. in New York City. In 2004, Kuykendall moved home to Los Angeles to work in film as a development assistant for Beacon Pictures. She then moved to Twentieth Century Fox as a film creative executive before joining Warner Bros. Pictures in 2008. She is on the boards of Women in Film, Brown University’s Women Leadership Council, and the Emma Bowen Foundation. Kuykendall is also a member of the Executive Branch of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.