Prior to film, Kafia worked in intelligence for the U.S. Government. Based at the Pentagon, Kafia served as Defense Intelligence Agency’s Iraqi Tribes and Culture Analyst. During the U.S. troop surge, she deployed to Baghdad as an expert on political reconciliation and identified tribal leaders willing to join the fight against Al Qaeda.
Upon returning to the U.S., Kafia was promoted to Senior Analyst for Current and Crisis Intelligence. Thereafter, she briefed members of the National Security Council, National Intelligence Council, and Joint Chiefs of Staff. Influenced by her experiences abroad, Kafia turned to film and TV to introduce global politics and social justice to a wider audience.
Upon returning to the U.S., Kafia was promoted to Senior Analyst for Current and Crisis Intelligence. Thereafter, she briefed members of the National Security Council, National Intelligence Council, and Joint Chiefs of Staff. Influenced by her experiences abroad, Kafia turned to film and TV to introduce global politics and social justice to a wider audience.
Kafia is a 2015 Semifinalist in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting for her feature script SATTAR. Based on a true story, SATTAR follows an Iraqi tribal leader's fight against Al Qaeda and journey to becoming a revolutionary political leader. She placed in the semifinals of Participant Media's Works for Progress for her TV script inspired by her father's experience with Chicago's Black Panther Party. Additionally, Kafia was named an Official Artist of the New York Television Festival.
Her short film CAST THE FIRST STONE, a behind the scenes look at a CIA interrogation, was featured in the California Women's Film Festival. She is the writer of MR. HALL'S INTERVIEW, a short film about an African American veteran's employment search, lauded by Fortune Magazine as a film that "everyone who works must see."
Her short film CAST THE FIRST STONE, a behind the scenes look at a CIA interrogation, was featured in the California Women's Film Festival. She is the writer of MR. HALL'S INTERVIEW, a short film about an African American veteran's employment search, lauded by Fortune Magazine as a film that "everyone who works must see."
Kafia is also a visual artist whose work celebrates African American culture and brings attention to marginalized groups. She contributed artwork to Firelight Foundation's Cradles Project in support of children impacted by AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa and Blackout for Human Rights. Her piece "Homegoing Service" was featured in They Reminisce Over You: We Are Troy Davis, aimed at raising awareness of racial disparities in the criminal justice system.
Kafia earned her MFA from University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, graduating with distinction. She holds a graduate degree in International Relations from The Fletcher School at Tufts University and a BA in Philosophy from Spelman College where she was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. She currently resides in Atlanta.
Kafia earned her MFA from University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, graduating with distinction. She holds a graduate degree in International Relations from The Fletcher School at Tufts University and a BA in Philosophy from Spelman College where she was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. She currently resides in Atlanta.
