Nicole Danek MacNaughton
Festival judge
Nicole Danek MacNaughton is a talent manager, producer and co-founder of Untamed Artists LA, based in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. She represents a roster of actors working across film and television, with clients appearing in projects including *The Pitt*, *Homestead*, *The Rookie* and *9-1-1*.
As a producer, Nicole recently produced *My Type*, a Super 16mm short film directed by Daniela Ruah that premiered at the 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival and has since screened at BAFTA-qualifying festivals in Europe. The film will next screen at the LA Shorts International Film Festival, a BAFTA- and Academy Award-qualifying festival. She also produced *Reeling*, which premiered in competition at SXSW 2025 before being acquired for distribution by NEON.
Through her production company, High High Productions, Nicole develops filmmaker-driven scripted and documentary projects. She continues to work at the intersection of talent representation and independent film, championing distinctive voices and stories with lasting impact.
As a producer, Nicole recently produced *My Type*, a Super 16mm short film directed by Daniela Ruah that premiered at the 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival and has since screened at BAFTA-qualifying festivals in Europe. The film will next screen at the LA Shorts International Film Festival, a BAFTA- and Academy Award-qualifying festival. She also produced *Reeling*, which premiered in competition at SXSW 2025 before being acquired for distribution by NEON.
Through her production company, High High Productions, Nicole develops filmmaker-driven scripted and documentary projects. She continues to work at the intersection of talent representation and independent film, championing distinctive voices and stories with lasting impact.