NiaFlix: Kiki (2016)

NiaFlix: A Night at the Centre is a monthly movie night series that centres movies, films and Black storytellers that showcase Black Artistic Expression. Each night will transport you through stories that blend nostalgia, art, and culture, giving you that cozy Netflix vibe right at Nia Centre!

On Thursday June 19th, 2025, we will be hosting a special Pride screening of Sara Jordenö’s Kiki (2016), co-written with Twiggy Pucci Garçon.

Released 25 years after Paris Is Burning (1990), Kiki revisits New York City’s underground ballroom scene in a contemporary setting — a larger-than-life world where Black and Latino LGBTQ+ youth are affirmed and empowered through elaborate competitions that showcase vogue (a style of dance), fashion, beauty, and all-around fierceness. But it’s not just about winning prizes and trophies. The Kiki scene, made up of chosen families, is also a safe haven for at-risk teens, who, because of their queerness, often face social ejection in the world outside the ball. Kiki takes us beyond the glitz and the glamour to examine the challenges faced by these queer and trans young people, following them as they navigate their changing lives over the course of several years.

Snacks and light refreshments will be made available. After the screening, our curator, Darynel Beckford, will be moderating a panel discussion between Tamar and Romeo Carter, two figures from the Canadian Ballroom scene. There will also be a post-event mixer.

About the Series Curator

Darynel Beckford

Darynel Beckford (he/they) is a dynamic Jamaican-Canadian Costume Designer and Wardrobe Stylist. Born in Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, Darynel is renowned for pushing boundaries with his creative work. His impressive portfolio includes contributions to critically acclaimed projects on platforms like CityTV, CBCGem, and HBOMax, including ‘Sort Of’ and ‘Black Community Mixtapes’. One of his latest achievements is the premiere of “Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story” at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2024. Darynel likes to consider himself a multi-hyphenate creative, and through being the curator of Pear’d Collective, seeks to connect communities through art and culture.

About the Panellists

Tamar Carter is a mother, business owner, educator, and community organizer whose influence spans far beyond the Ballroom floor. A force in Canadian Ballroom for over 13 years, Tamar is one of only two recognized mainstream Legends in the country, internationally celebrated for her precision, presence, and enduring excellence in the Realness category. As the Legendary Canadian Mother of the International Iconic House of Miyake-Mugler, Tamar has raised the standard of excellence within Canadian Ballroom, helping shape a new generation of top-tier talent. Her leadership is rooted in a sharp eye for detail, old-school Ballroom fundamentals, and a deep commitment to legacy. 

Tamar is the revered Matriarch of the Carter family, known for being a “stern set” who leads with integrity, accountability, and unwavering love. Her influence pushes her children to realize their full potential, not only in Ballroom but in their everyday lives. Tamar is also the co-founder of FUNCTION, a groundbreaking Ballroom-first platform for culture, stories, and events. Since its official launch in 2022, FUNCTION has produced some of the largest balls in Canadian history and distributed over $250,000 to BIPOC and queer artists. Through every endeavor, Tamar remains committed to building legacy, centering community, and ensuring that Black queer excellence is not only seen—but sustained.

Romeo Carter is a multidisciplinary artist, formally trained in dance and acting. As a proud Black gay man, his journey is deeply rooted in excellence, artistry, and the power of chosen family. Becoming part of the Carter family transformed Romeo’s life in ways he never imagined. Their love, structure, and support not only nurtured his personal growth but helped shape his Ballroom career. With their guidance, he made history as the first and only Canadian Porcelain Schoolboy of the Iconic House of Miyake-Mugler. He also holds leadership within his Kiki house, serving proudly as the Toronto Prince Romeo Unbothered-Cartier.

A core value in the Carter family—instilled by Matriarch and Grandz Tamar Carter—is: “You cannot be fab in Ballroom and a bum in real life.” This principle is taken seriously, as the family actively supports one another in pursuing purpose and passion. For Romeo, that passion is the arts. His love for dance and performance is consistently uplifted by those closest to him. His Mother Jazmine Carter, Dad Carter, Grandz Ceaser, and his little/big brother Tyson Carter have wrapped him in a love that is both secure and liberating—creating a haven where he is empowered to live fully, loudly, and unapologetically as himself.