Benita Sarah Bailey is an award-winning Ethiopian-German actress, filmmaker, and cultural producer whose work bridges continents, disciplines, and narratives. With a background in International Relations and African Studies from the University of Leipzig and Hong Kong Baptist University—and professional experience with the UN and German government in New York, Beijing, and Berlin—she brings a uniquely global lens to storytelling.

As a filmmaker and performer, Benita creates bold, socially relevant work that challenges dominant narratives and centers Black voices. On screen, Benita stars in several TV shows, including the lead role in PFLEGIONÄRIN on ARD Mediathek. On stage, she has performed at acclaimed venues such as the Maxim Gorki Theater and Deutsches Theater Berlin, and will soon appear at the National Theater Weimar. She is the creator and host of her own video podcast #yellit , celebrating Black icons of TV and film. In 2024, she received the prestigious DEI Achievement Award, and in 2022, was named one of Focus magazine’s “100 Women of the Year” for her cultural impact and advocacy against everyday racism.

She is also a founding board member of Schwarze Filmschaffende e.V., an organization championing Black filmmakers in Germany.