Ryan Vergara is a Los Angeles-based producer and editor. His horror short “You Are Here” (directed by Spencer Lackey), which he produced and edited, raised its $15,000 budget through a crowdfunding campaign and has screened at festivals including Sitges – International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia, Beyond Fest, and HollyShorts LA, where Vergara received a Best Editing nomination. He also produced, directed, and edited the dark comedy short “THE DUEBACK HUSTLE”, made on a $500 budget and recently screened as part of Life is Shorts at UCB. Both are now streaming on YouTube. As an editor, Vergara has worked across unscripted television and digital entertainment, including projects associated with The Zeus Network, NBCUniversal, Netflix, and YouTube. His experience in post-production has shaped his approach to producing, giving him a strong understanding of story, performance, and the collaborative process of bringing a project from development through final cut. As a filmmaker, Vergara is drawn to genre stories that balance dark humor with emotional depth, often exploring themes of identity, family, empathy, and the unexpected ways people connect. Before pursuing producing, Vergara earned a BFA in Acting from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), where his training in performance continues to inform his approach to working with actors and developing character-driven stories. He is currently pursuing an MFA in the Producers Program at UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television, where he is expanding his producing practice and developing a slate of original film and television projects.
Research and Creative Interests
Horror & Comedy
Selected Work and Awards
HollyShorts Film Festival. Best Editing Nominee, “You are Here” (2025)
Sitges Int’l Fantastic Film Fest. of Catalonia. Official Selection, “You are Here” (2025)
BeyondFest. Official Selection, “You are Here” (2025)
Life is Shorts at UCB. Official Selection, “THE DUEBACK HUSTLE” (2026)
Education
BFA, Acting, University of Cincinnati (CCM)
MFA, Producers Program, UCLA (In progress)