Rachel Layne McDonald

Rachel McDonald is an award-winning director with an adept sensitivity to her subjects. Born and raised on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, she absorbed the rhythms of storytelling from a young age, giving her an innate curiosity that continues to drive her exploration of the world and its stories. Rachel got her start on feature films working for acclaimed directors Frank Darabont, Nancy Meyers, and Clint Eastwood, learning the craft firsthand. She has since made her mark as a commercial director with notable campaigns for Facebook, Microsoft, IKEA, HP, and the Grammys. Her "Behind the Post" Short Film for the One Love Foundation earned multiple awards including a Silver Cannes Lion and continues to be used as part of the organization's curriculum for recognizing and preventing relationship abuse. Rachel has written and directed multiple award-winning short films including "Thirst" starring Melanie Griffith and documentary short "Uganda: Friends of the Gorilla." Rachel is developing a feature film based on the true story of her family's survival during Hurricane Katrina.