DCLA exists to empower directors by pooling resources and honing our craft together.
At the heart of DCLA are the Directing Sessions, where members refine their directing skills by working with actors, exploring scenes, and receiving constructive feedback from peers. These sessions encourage mutual learning and spark new approaches to the directing process.
Beyond the sessions, we foster connections among members, opening opportunities for collaboration, networking, and professional growth while continuing to evolve together as storytellers.
Founding Members
Eyal Resh is a queer live-action and animation filmmaker from Tel Aviv. His stories explore intimacy, sex, and communication, with films featured at Sundance, Cannes, Tribeca, LAFF, Outfest, and Viennale, and now streaming on Hulu and Amazon Prime. He has directed acclaimed talent including Tony nominee Lauren Ridloff (Sound of Metal, Eternals), Jay Leno, Rona Lee Shimon (Fauda), and Dr. Ruth Westheimer for Spielberg's Shoah Foundation. Resh holds an MFA in Film Directing from CalArts.
Mercedes Arturo is a multidisciplinary artist from Argentina, born in Patagonia and based in Los Angeles. Trained in theater as a costume and set designer and later in film directing, she has written and directed short films, VR experiences, and music videos. Her work has screened at Sundance, Tribeca, Venice, San Sebastián, Austin, NYFF, and LALIFF and PBS. Her film Back Home (2024), premiered at Tribeca and is streaming on Hulu. Her visual art have been exhibited at the National Academy of Fine Arts of NY, CC Recoleta, CIA, Lebensohn Foundation, and Frieze Art Fair LA.
Noga Wind (she/they) is an actor, writer, producer, clown, drag king, and queer activist based in LA. Originally from Jerusalem, her queer activism is at the forefront of her artistic practice and professional life. Graduated with a BFA from CalArts, Noga has performed around the world with her original work.
Nico Casavecchia is an Emmy-nominated director, screenwriter, and illustrator based in Los Angeles whose work has been featured by the BBC, New York Times, IndieWire, and Wired. His debut feature Finding Sofía premiered at the Austin Film Festival, followed by the VR film BattleScar starring Rosario Dawson, which premiered at Sundance 2018. His latest short, Border Hopper, competed at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and won Best US Drama at Urbanworld.