Dawn Brooks Macleod | President | Moral Imperative Films
Dawn Brooks Macleod is a writer/producer/director who wants to level the gender disparity field in Hollywood. Working at the intersection between storytelling and tech, Dawn’s brand is Bold and Brainy Women: the kind who aren’t afraid to push buttons. A card-carrying member of the Visual Effects society since 2003, Dawn has worked on over 30 big budget blockbusters in the VFX Department as well as a few big time Directors (David Fincher, Chris Columbus, Tim Miller… to name a few).
Dawn has made four short films. Her last, “SEEKING LTR”, received Honorable Mention in the comedy category from the 2023 LA Independent Women’s Film Festival. Dawn started her production company, MORAL IMPERATIVE FILMS, in 2022 with the goal of hiring all females for the Above the Line roles.
In 2015, Dawn formed a non-profit, The Catalyst Film Collective, with two other women in Portland, Oregon. Their goal was to build a community of female filmmakers, educate them, and give them an opportunity to work together on a short film that the Collective would fund. In 2015, the ‘Script to Screen’ grant was $500. In 2024, it’s at $10,000. *mic drop*
Dawn has never understood the phrase, “she throws like a girl.” From an early age, Dawn was the designated catcher for her ability to throw runner’s out trying to steal. Dawn’s athletic prowess landed her MVP of her track team Junior and Senior year of High School as well as a walk-on spot for a Division 1 softball team in college.
A comic at heart, Dawn enjoys performing standup as well as watching SNL with her teenage son. Throw in a fat cattle dog, trips to the batting cages, and memorabilia from Dawn’s favorite film, REAL GENIUS (directed by the amazing Martha Coolidge), and that sums up Dawn’s home life.