Mykel Salazar

I’m a writer and director from the Pueblo of Laguna. Coming from a long line of storytellers, my work is deeply rooted in the stark beauty of the Southwest. I love exploring the complexities of desire, grief, and power, using memory and ritual to tell intimate, female-centered stories that blur the line between realism and the surreal.

Formally, I strive to create immersive, psychologically rich experiences. I don't give the audience an easy out. My directing style is precise and deeply physical. I use invasive close-ups, punishingly deliberate pacing, and long takes with sparse dialogue to trap viewers in the moment.

As a DGA director and 1st AD, I pride myself on balancing bold creative vision with rigorous on-set discipline. I’ve had the privilege of working on high-pressure, acclaimed projects at Sundance, Tribeca, and Berlinale. I bring that same level of professionalism and community-building to my own sets, while always keeping my roots grounded in queer and activist spaces. My own shorts have screened worldwide and at Oscar-qualifying festivals and picked up over 15 awards.

I’m deeply passionate about film as a tool for community impact. Most recently, I partnered with non-profits and legislators to co-write and direct The Bookstore, a short film that helped pass the historic 2026 New Mexico Immigrant Safety Act.

I was honored as a Rising Star by the New Mexico Film & Television Hall of Fame and I’m currently developing my first feature, Noli Me Tangere, a transgressive, psychosexual body horror reimagining of Mary Magdalene.