Michelle Salcedo
A 2024 and 2025 Sundance Directing fellow, Michelle has over 25 years experience in the entertainment industry. Her films blend a commitment to authentic representation with a visually stunning cinematic style. Michelle recently directed the multimillion-dollar action feature, Switch & Bait, shot on location in Serbia, starring Otmara Marrero and Katie Clarkson Hill. The film is about a strong-willed female detective who must drive a key witness back to Detroit and protect her from the drug lord who wants her dead. Switch & Bait is set to premiere in 2025. She is currently a Rideback RISE fellow.
Born in Miami, of Cuban and Ecuadorian descent, she graduated from Columbia University with a B.A. in film studies. She worked at Miramax Films producing theatrical trailers for over 30 films including Academy Award winner, “Chicago” and “Gangs of New York”. She’s edited over fifty episodes of TV for networks: Bravo, TLC, and VH1. Her directorial debut, "Cinnamon Skin” shot on location in Cuba, won eight jury prizes including “Best Produced” at the Academy-qualifying Holly Shorts Film festival and “Best Short of the Year” at New Filmmakers LA naming her "Best Filmmaker of the Year" in 2020.
She wrote and directed the feature, "Woman of the House", a female-centric dramedy which premiered at the Laemmle as part of NoHo Cinefest 2021. A semi-finalist at Flickers’ R.I. International Film Festival, "Woman of the House" won the audience choice award, "Best Narrative Feature" at the Mystic Film Festival.
By creating compelling, character-driven work in TV and Film, Michelle hopes to empower future generations of filmmakers to express their unique visions.
