Laura Hunter Drago

Laura Hunter Drago is an award-winning film producer living in Los Angeles, California. Originally from a small town in Virginia, Laura grew up performing in theatre both in school and professionally. She trained as an actress at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts where she studied at the Atlantic Theatre Company School and the Lee Strasberg Institute. She is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA and is represented by Sovereign Talent Group. Laura is the Assistant Editor-in-Chief of Ms. In the Biz, a website founded by Helenna Santos that provides resources for female entrepreneurs in the entertainment industry. Ms.In the Biz recently hit 1 million page-views and has articles written by over 300 women in the entertainment industry in its archives. After many years of auditioning as an actress, Laura wanted to take her passion for creating opportunities for women in the arts and put action to it rather than waiting for the phone to ring. She co-founded New Girl Pictures with one of her best friends from her high school theatre days, Samantha Macher. Their production company focuses on getting women into positions both in front of and behind the camera early in their careers. New Girl Pictures' first short film, an animated piece called The Echo, was made a finalist in the Coven Film Festival Quarantine Film Challenge which will screen as part of an online festival through Seed & Spark in July 2020. Next up, The Echo will screen in September 2020 at the DaVinci International Film Festival in the "COVIDaVINCI" quarantine film category. New Girl Pictures' first feature film, To the New Girl, made by an all-female cast and creative team has made waves on the festival circuit as well. The film had its festival premiere at the TCL Chinese 6 Theaters on Hollywood and Highland as part of the Golden State Film Festival and is also an Official Selection at the inaugural FEMINYSTA Film Fest in Brooklyn. The film most recently won four awards at the Queen Palm International Film Festival in Palm Springs, California, including Best Feature by a First Time Filmmaker. To the New Girl releases on VOD worldwide August 11, 2020.