Writer/Director/Producer Ashleigh Akilah Rucker hails from sunny San Diego, Ca. Ashleigh developed an interest for the arts at an early age. While attending the University of California she indulged her passion for humanities by studying Biological Sciences and Theater. After college, she co-founded a production company and began producing music videos for local artist including rising Indie Folk artist, Courtney Ariel.

Ashleigh has spent the past decade of her life using theater and the arts to educate under served communities throughout Southern California. Some of her theater credits include Feydeau’s A Flea in Her Ear, Chekhov’s The Marriage Proposal, Suzan Lori-Parks’ Topdog/Underdog and Patrick Barlow’s The 39 Steps where she created an interactive immersive theater experience. Over the years, she has worked with renowned directors such as Larry Biederman, Irwin Appel and Tony Award Director Mel Shapiro.

After graduating from UCLA Ext. film school, she completed her first short film, #CLICK (2015), about a young girl whose emotions are put to the test as she tries to cope with a barrage of teen harassment. Her second short film, WE THREE (2017), about a woman facing reality on her disastrous 30th birthday. She also had the privilege to work with Rusty Proctor and 21Productions and direct his ground-breaking Christian drama, Faith Ties. The Alley, the short film based on this play turned screenplay, is currently gaining notoriety through the festival circuit, winning for Best Actor and Cinematography at Blast Off Festival, Best Faith Based Film at Queen Palms International and nominated for Best Director at the International Christian Film Festival.