as a "Third Culture Kid" who grew up in eight countries by the age of 16 with parents who were UNICEF diplomats, world-building is in Tchaiko’s DNA. It’s how she made herself safe in a constantly changing landscape—incorporating the magical folklore and beauty of the unique cultures around her into her narratives while finding the universal in the specific. Filmmaking allows her to recreate the tension, thrill, and adrenaline of her childhood for audiences.

In Tchaiko’s work, her characters struggle to discover who they are and where they belong in the world. Her award-winning debut feature film, SOLACE—about a Black girl navigating an eating disorder—is streaming on MGM+, Prime and Kweli TV. She won the 2024 Creative Capital Award for her dark fantasy project, BEAST. Her documentary LOOKING FOR TCHAIKO is in development, supported by Ford Foundation. She’s made commercial work for Pinterest and Procter & Gamble and created immersive work in VR.

Her episodic credits include Queen Sugar, Cherish the Day, Good Trouble, Sacrifice, and Black Mafia Family.