Jack Kudas (Jacek Wladyslaw Kudas) is an award-winning filmmaker and author from Kennebunkport, Maine. Trained at Maine Media Workshops + College and mentored by industry professionals including Steven Spielberg’s lighting designer and a director from Game of Thrones, Jack has quickly emerged as a bold new creative voice.

His latest award-winning horror short, The Celebration, has made a strong impact on the international festival circuit, earning nine official selections and ten awards. The film won Best Horror Short (Outstanding Achievement Award) at the Massachusetts Independent Film Festival, Best Horror Short at the Milwaukee Horror Film Fest, and five awards at the New York International Film Awards, including Best Director, Best Horror Film, and Best Indie Short. It also received an Honorable Mention for Best Short Film at AIMAFF and won Best Cinematography at both the Spring Lane Studios Film Festival and the Crimson Screen Horror Film Festival. The Celebration was also selected to screen at the DC Independent Film Festival, the Short Sweet Film Fest, and the Horrorwood Film Fest at Columbus Horror Con.

His documentary short On Beyond Fences, which he co-directed, shot and executive produced, earned major recognition, winning the Audience Choice Award at the Atlanta DocuFest, Best Documentary Short at the Virginia Film Festival and Best Documentary Short at the DC Independent Film Festival.

Jack continues to write, direct and produce a slate of narrative short films and is currently writing a full-length feature adaptation of The Celebration.

As an author, Jack’s children’s book Windows in Heaven, a heartfelt resource for families coping with loss, received widespread acclaim, earning a finalist spot for Author of the Year and winning at the International Impact Book Awards in Hollywood and Phoenix, Arizona.

Jack has found success across a wide range of filmmaking genres and remains creatively open and versatile. When a story inspires him, regardless of genre, he pursues it with passion and commitment, bringing each project to life with authenticity and vision.

Though he thrives across genres, Jack has found a powerful home in horror.