Filmmaker Bio

Kevin Nail is a writer and director based in Los Angeles. 

Born and raised in Fort Worth, TX, Kevin graduated with a BFA in Film from the University of Texas at Arlington. There, his short films "Motivation Monday", "The 4", and "Legend Mary" competed in - and won - multiple film festivals. 

Since 2022, Kevin has lived in LA and earned his MFA in Screenwriting from UCLA in 2024 while studying as part of a fellowship (which included 5 quarters of teaching Introductory Screenwriting).  During his tenure, Kevin worked as a script reader for American High Productions, where he provided coverage and notes which led to production of feature films.  One of his scripts written during his time at UCLA , the feature screenplay "The Demon Steed", was selected as the runner-up for Best Adaptation at the 2024 UCLA Screenwriter's Showcase.

Kevin's stories tend to focus on the darker aspects of life, generally in the horror, thriller, and psychological drama genres.  He enjoys taking real-life people, places, and events, and adding his own twist to them.

Outside of screenwriting and directing, Kevin also holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and previously served as a host and producer of a sports podcast.

EDUCATION

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Screenwriting   

University of Texas at Arlington

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Film

University of Texas at Arlington 

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Journalism       

FILM SET EXPERIENCE

Director, Writer, Producer  

Newton's Law (also Director of Photography, Editor), 2023  

Crow (also Editor, Director of Photography), 2022 

Legend Mary (also Sound Design), 2020

The 4 (also Sound Design), 2019

Motivation Monday, 2018 

Production Assistant     

Sydney vs. Sean (feature), 2023 

Ranch Water (commercial), 2021

Firebones (web series), 2019 

Hugo’s Plane (short), 2018

Sound Mixer    

The Secret Base (short), 2021 

Bad Company (short), 2021 

Megan (short), 2021 

Home Visit (case study) - Texas Christian University (TCU), 2021 

Veteran’s Heart (short), 2020 

Foster (short), 2020 

Blindfold (feature), 2020 

Metanoia (short), 2019

Gaffer  

Alabama Son (short), 2019 

I May Have a Problem (short), 2019

Key Grip

Snapshot (short), 2018

AWARDS & HONORS

Runner-Up: Best Adapted Screenplay (The Demon Steed) – UCLA Screenwriters Showcase, 2024

Best Comedy Film – Texas Short Film Festival (Film: Legend Mary), 2021

Award of Excellence – Indie Open Screen Film Festival (Film: The 4), 2020

Best Thriller Film – Bare Bones International Film Festival (Film: The 4), 2020

Best Overall Drama Film – Prison City Film Festival (Film: Motivation Monday), 2019

Award of Excellence – BisonBison Film Festival (Film: Motivation Monday), 2019

Best Student Film – South Texas International Film Festival (Film: Motivation Monday), 2019

Best Student Film – Georgetown Film Festival (Film: Motivation Monday), 2019

Best Student Film – Austin Indie Fest (Film: Motivation Monday), 2019  

OTHER RELEVANT WORK

American High Productions - Script Reader, 2024

The MMA Corner Podcast - Co-host and Producer, 2021 - 2022

Longhorn Film Festival - Judge, 2021

Stomping Ground Comedy Theater – Sound Board Operator / Lighting Technician, 2019

Buddhasport.com (now defunct) - Journalist,  2011 – 2015