Summer Vaughan, founder of Moon Rabbit Productions, is a visionary producer, writer, and Award-winning director, intent on innovating the way film and television is made.
Summer Vaughan is a filmmaker and storyteller whose work lives at the intersection of visceral emotion and bold visual language. She has directed high-impact campaigns for Nike and Apple Music, with additional clients including Netflix, Google, Mercedes-Benz, and more. Equally at home in the art house and commercial space, she brings a distinct, vibrant signature to everything she directs — from narrative films to global campaigns. Her growing list of clients includes: Acura, Toyota, Target, Adidas, Google, Häagen-Dazs, NBC, Shoppable, Sephora, Hisense USA, Northrop Grumman, Mercedes-Benz, Clorox, CBS, American Idol, Cheetos, Cuervo, Amazon, Mitsubishi, Bud Light, Capital One, OPI, Fender, Facebook, Edison, and Netflix.
Raised in a family rooted in humanitarian values, she began working on community impact initiatives from a young age — an experience that deeply informs the empathy and social consciousness in her films. Attending Fresno University's film intensive at 14 and later majoring in film and media studies at the New School, Summer honed her skills under the mentorship of Noah Isenberg. Her award-winning thesis film, Josephine, explored the female voice and set the stage for her multifaceted career.
From a production assistant, Summer climbed the ranks to 1st AD and producer before emerging as a talented writer and director. Her haunting debut film earned her an IndieFEST Film Award, establishing her as a force in crafting women-focused narratives.
Founding Moon Rabbit Productions, she collaborated with Kodak on projects like Letter Eight, starring Carson Higgins (Babylon), which premiered at the Santa Monica Film Festival and garnered three award nominations.
In addition to her film work, Summer has consulted on the early development of an original Broadway musical, collaborating with NYC-based producers and the Head of Creative for Visual Development at Disney. As she continues to evolve across the filmmaking and theater landscapes, her focus remains on crafting emotionally resonant stories that challenge norms, inspire change, and connect across mediums.
Her extensive filmography, celebrated in publications like Twang Nation, has been described as David Lynch-inspired with a modern flare. Summer possesses a keen eye for detail and an adept affinity for capturing the distilled essence of the complex human psyche on screen. Beyond accolades, she is a passionate artist dedicated to reshaping the film industry's ethos, prioritizing both human dignity and production integrity through Moon Rabbit Productions.