Vega Montañez, an award-winning film producer, writer, and director from Providence, Rhode Island, shapes transformative narratives in cinema. Over the past three years, he contributed to nine feature films, including the acclaimed "The Hurt We Share," earning over 12 international awards and securing distribution with Dame Dash Studios. With upcoming releases like "Beyond Detention," "A Quiet Road," "Nico," and the recently wrapped "The Burden of Nine Lives," Vega's momentum is set to continue through 2024.
About Vega
Hailing from the vibrant city of Providence, Rhode Island, Vega Montañez is a transformative award winning film producer, writer, and director who has become a momentous force in the film and television industry. Born in New York City and raised in Providence, Vega's impact reverberates through the creative landscape with a passion for storytelling that touches the spiritual and emotional cores of the audience.
Over the past three years, Vega has left an indelible mark on the industry, contributing to nine feature films in various capacities while prolifically writing over two dozen scripts in the past 18 months. His debut film, "The Hurt We Share," not only earned over 12 international awards but was also acquired by Dame Dash Studios in partnership with Homestead Entertainment, debuted on Fox Soul after a sold out premiere and is now streaming on Tubi. The momentum continues with four upcoming films, “Beyond Detention”, "A Quiet Road," "Nico," and the recently wrapped "The Burden of Nine Lives”, all slated for release throughout 2024.
Vega's storytelling prowess is fueled by his commitment to portraying the human experience in a way that resonates uniquely, paired with a love for delivering high-adrenaline visuals. His business revolves around creating films, television, and commercials that feel distinctive, inviting audiences to see the world through a different lens and potentially reshape interactions.
What sets Vega apart is his “completionist” personality—an unwavering determination to initiate and see through projects to completion. In an industry where starting something is often easier than finishing it, Vega's resilience shines through, marking him as a standout figure. His remarkable ability to work within budgets and timelines significantly lower and tighter than industry standards showcases not only his creative prowess but also his pragmatic approach to the challenges of film production.
Growing up underprivileged and without formal film school education, Vega embraces a problem-solving outlook that transcends traditional boundaries. He navigates challenges with finesse, pushing those around him to think beyond conventional solutions and financial constraints. Creativity, in Vega's view, should never be confined by limitations, and he thrives on finding innovative solutions even with limited resources.
Vega's career has been adorned with successes, even before venturing into film, having independently produced 3 well-received hip hop albums, garnering a nomination for an Independent Music Award for his last album release, "Self." With over 15 years of extensive experience in sound mixing, Vega brings a wealth of knowledge and skill to the table, further enriching his multifaceted contributions to the world of storytelling and creative production.
Beyond his individual accomplishments, Vega is committed to fostering opportunities for Latino filmmakers. Currently working on launching the Latino Film Club, he aims to provide a resource for aspiring filmmakers to enter the industry. Drawing from his early days of doing free work to build relationships and learn the ropes, Vega believes in making an impact and being memorable in any room or environment. It's not about being the smartest or the best; it's about being unforgettable. Vega's success is a living testament to this belief, a testament to a creative force whose narrative continues to unfold and reshape the industry.
Personal Statement
“Today, I am an award winning writer and producer.
At 9 years old, however, I was accused of plagiarizing a short story about Ninjas. The accusations were false but the experience was real and so belittling I became resistant to creative writing. The stories were still flowing through my head endlessly, the desire to let them out was shattered. Video Games, Mixed Martial Art, and baseball became my replacements for writing and reading new adventures.
When my uncle unexpectedly passed after Christmas sophomore year of high school, I returned to writing as a way to alleviate the pain. With the encouragement of friends, that writing turned into music filled with emotions, and experiences into songs and albums. As things progressed I found myself often more excited about writing music video concepts than I was about writing songs. That was when the transition began.
Everyday from that point I found myself thinking about ideas for television, film, and gaming. The excitement around world building and character development was racing through me and I just wanted to write. Sometime around 2016, a friend asked me to write a feature script for them to lead in and I excitedly jumped at the challenge. From that moment, it’s been story after story, script after script, and project after project.
The pandemic was a blessing in disguise for my career. My last album was nominated for an independent music award, I was excited to go on tour, and then everything was shut down. In that very moment, I decided to write the first movie I would go on to produce, direct, win awards for, and ultimately stream exclusively on Tubi.
Since “The Hurt We Share”, I’ve worked over a dozen feature films, I’ve been part of and lead writers rooms for independent television/web series, and I’ve been hired to convert two novels to series and one to film. Most recently I completed my next feature film, an action thriller titled “The Burden of anime Lives”, I’m producing a horror feature titled “A Quiet Road” and finished post on action feature titled “Nico”. I produce stories that expand the worlds and roles people like myself can inhabit and engage in. My name is Vega Montañez and I am an award-winning, Dominican-American, Writer, Director, and producer from Providence, RI. “