Hi! My name is Nikiiyah Gest; Ohio native, director, producer and writer of Behind The Crown Documentary. I am raising funds to complete an independent feature-length documentary currently in production. The film includes live-action footage, subject interviews, archival storytelling, photography, and animation.

This project has been built independently from the ground up alongside an incredible team of artists, collaborators, and crew members who have dedicated their time, creativity, and hard work to bringing this vision to life. Over 75% of our crew is from Ohio, and supporting this film also means supporting independent creatives and local talent.

Logline: This documentary explores the lives of 6 African American women from Ohio who competed in the Miss Ohio USA pageant.

About: Behind the Crown is a character-driven feature documentary exploring the personal journeys of 6 Black women who have competed in Miss Ohio USA, including Corrine Huff, Jayne Kennedy, Halle Berry, Sir’Quora Carroll, Macy Hudson, and Kiyasia Hudson. The film not only reveals life inside the pageant world see; preparation, competition, pressures, and personal growth, but also seeks to humanize pageant participants, foster empowerment, and provide guidance for aspiring contestants. The film also includes perspectives from other Black queens who have participated in different pageants.

Black women have left no stone unturned when it comes to pushing boundaries and breaking barriers. These women have reached the highest heights on the stage and also carved out throughways for themselves and others beyond their pageant status.

As we lean into the life of pageantry, we’ll also explore the generational impact and layered lives of Black women to tell a story of resilience, personal growth, and stepping into who you’re meant to be. Not just individually, but also as a collective. The women in this film are connected by more than just a shared stage, and throughout the film we’ll explore how all of their journeys cross over and build off of each other as time goes on.

Where Your Support Goes

Support for Behind The Crown goes directly toward completing production, post-production and preparing the film for its debut, including:

These steps are essential to ensuring the documentary is fully finished, professionally polished, and ready for audiences.

What Has Already Been Invested

To date, $12,000 has been personally invested into Behind The Crown. This investment has supported:

Funding Goal

We are currently looking to raise $40,000 to complete post-production and bring the film to its final form for release and distribution.

Creating this film has been one of the most important and challenging journeys of my life. I’m now reaching out to those who believe in independent filmmakers, this story and the power of creative art to help bring this film to completion.

Every contribution helps move this project closer to completion and gives this story the opportunity to reach audiences the way it deserves to.

If you’re unable to donate, sharing this campaign would mean just as much. And if you know any businesses, sponsors, or investors interested in supporting independent film and the arts, I would deeply appreciate any connections or introductions.

Thank you for believing in this project and for being part of this journey!