Mykel Salazar(I)
- Director
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Stunts
Mykel is an Indigenous filmmaker from the Pueblo of Laguna in New Mexico. After graduating from Haskell Indian Nations University in 2012 in Lawrence, Kansas (a former Native American boarding school), Mykel found her way to the film industry in 2016 and has been a member of the Directors Guild of America since 2020. The New Mexico Film and Television Hall of Fame recognized Mykel with a "Rising Star" award that same year.
Mykel has directed films and has done ads and print for Toyota, Thom Browne, and Ralph Lauren, to name a few. She is also attached to direct three feature films, an episodic and two shorts films. Mykel's upcoming film, "The Woods are Lovely, Dark and Deep", a psychological thriller, was filmed in the Seattle area and New Mexico in August 2023, and is still in post-production. Her prior film, "Dear Judith", was recognized at festivals around the world, winning multiple awards including Best Female Indie Director and Best Ensemble Cast.
Mykel is an advocate for causes including the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women's movement and the fight for Native American sovereignty, human rights, and equality. As a devoted storyteller of hard subjects, she aims to bring audiences along on visceral, emotional journeys.
Mykel lives in New Mexico with her wife, Lena. In her free time, she can be found woodworking, experimenting with her antique film camera collection, and taking care of their five goats.
Mykel has directed films and has done ads and print for Toyota, Thom Browne, and Ralph Lauren, to name a few. She is also attached to direct three feature films, an episodic and two shorts films. Mykel's upcoming film, "The Woods are Lovely, Dark and Deep", a psychological thriller, was filmed in the Seattle area and New Mexico in August 2023, and is still in post-production. Her prior film, "Dear Judith", was recognized at festivals around the world, winning multiple awards including Best Female Indie Director and Best Ensemble Cast.
Mykel is an advocate for causes including the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women's movement and the fight for Native American sovereignty, human rights, and equality. As a devoted storyteller of hard subjects, she aims to bring audiences along on visceral, emotional journeys.
Mykel lives in New Mexico with her wife, Lena. In her free time, she can be found woodworking, experimenting with her antique film camera collection, and taking care of their five goats.