niki koss

words by VANESSA SALLES photos by KIYANA TEHRANI

With a knack for telling stories that touch people’s hearts, Niki Koss is a name you won’t soon forget. As an award winning actress and filmmaker, the 26-year-old starlet has been busier than ever with several projects in the works. We talked to the Innocent Goodbye actress about her time on set, career goals, mental health and so much more!

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Take us back to the beginning! What can you tell us about the moment that you knew you wanted to pursue acting as a career? What has the journey been like for you?

I’ve wanted to pursue acting for as long as I can remember. I actually told my mom I wanted an agent when I was three years old. I doubt I even knew what that was, but apparently I knew I wanted to be an actress from day one! I started seriously pursuing it towards the end of high school and have been diving into this industry head first ever since.

Talk to us about Innocent Goodbye – what

can you tell us about the film and what viewers can expect from it?

Innocent Goodbye is a really intense story that explores a mass school shooting. My

character faces off with the gunman, played by Darren Barnett, and does her best to essentially talk him off the ledge. I was lucky enough to work on this and produce with one with one of my best friends, Theresa Picciallo, who wrote, directed and edited the film. It was so beautiful getting to go to the most vulnerable place I ever have acting wise alongside someone I trusted so implicitly. This is such an important story and I really hope it helps bring the incredibly prevalent issue to light in some way.

What is it about your role that initially drew you in and made you want to be involved?

I always knew I wanted to work with Theresa, but when she presented me with the initial idea for Innocent Goodbye, I immediately got the chills and fell in love with the concept. I’ve always been incredibly passionate about advocating for the issue of gun violence and mass shootings so it only made sense to find a way to fuse that passion into my craft.

Any memorable behind-the-scenes moments from filming that you can share with us?

All the firemen, policemen, EMTs and swat officers were real, which was fascinating. They’d actually experienced it before in the real world and had some really interesting stories to tell. I loved that we got to incorporate the actual heroes that deal with this issue daily into the film. It just made it that much more special.

You’ve won three “Best Actress” awards at different film festivals for this role – what can you tell us about that? What does it mean to you to get that sort of recognition?

I’ve never won any awards for acting before this so it was incredibly validating and rewarding. It felt really good to be recognized in that way for something I put so much heart and soul into! However, I just hope this film helps to bring even just a little bit more awareness and immediacy to the issue at hand.

Tell us about the feature film you

directed earlier this year, Night, Night – how would you describe your

experience with that project?

Shooting “Night Night” was hands down one of the best experiencing of my entire life. My cast and crew were so special in so many ways and made the whole shoot so amazing. Don’t get me wrong, it definitely wasn’t easy, but we walked away with memories and lessons we’ll have forever.

I can’t wait for the world to see what we created.

What are some of your directorial aspirations? How would you describe being a female filmmaker in today’s climate?

I have to be honest, it’s difficult to be a female in such a male dominated industry. Luckily though, the industry is working really hard to even the playing field and it definitely shows. However, I find myself having to dodge uncomfortable scenarios that only exist because of my gender time and time again. I’m proud of the work we’re doing towards equality, not just within this industry but in a plethora of others, but we still have a long way to go. As far as directing aspirations go, I can’t wait to direct my next film. I’ve never produced a feature I wrote before so I’m really excited to explore that on the next one.

When you think of your ultimate dream role, what comes to mind?

Oh man, there are so many. I’d love to do a Winter’s Bone type film. I’m also obsessed with period pieces and am dying to do one of those as well.

What are you loving on TV lately? What do you want to see more of?

I’m really into Peaky Blinders at the moment. Also, the new season of Pen15 is out of this world good. I’d love to see more feel-good content this coming year. I’m pretty sure we are all in desperate need of it these days.

What would you say has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned this year?

I was just talking to my good friend Rebecca Serle, who wrote “Famous In Love,” the other day about this! She said to me “The bar that we set has to remain fixed. We continue to move it around, lower and higher, adjusting it for specific people or scenarios- but the bar must remain fixed.” That’s a lesson that can take a lifetime to implement, but I believe it’s such an important one in order to maintain any semblance of self respect and just overall mental sanity.

With a growing social following, what’s the best way for fans to get your attention online?

I’m not the best at it, but I do check everything as often as I can. DM me!

What has life in quarantine looked like for you recently?

It’s actually been busier than ever somehow. I’m currently producing several projects and getting ready to direct my

next film. They say when it rains it pours, it’s especially true these days. I’ve been doing a lot of writing and spending time with my family. This quarantine madness definitely gets a little bit easier with every passing day.

Working in such a chaotic field, what are some of the ways that you prioritize/ take care of your mental health?

That is a great question. I have a therapist that I love and have known since I was young. I think everyone should have a therapist in their life that they trust and can call if they are ever in an emotional pickle so to speak. Meditating via Headspace the app has been a godsend. Facetiming a lot with my mom and my friends. Oh, and baths. Lots and lots of bubble baths!

What piece of advice would you offer to someone who wanted to follow in your footsteps?

Work as hard as you possibly can because there is always going to be someone out there working harder.

Any special message for fans?

God I love you guys.