ABOUT

Ryan Curtis is a filmmaker, director, and creative director who consults with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and major brands. A Massachusetts-raised U.S. Army veteran, Ryan brings mission-driven clarity and cinematic craft to stories that treat veterans as warriors - not victims. His feature film  Hollywood Grit, which opened in theaters in August 2025, earned a 93% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and showcases his signature blend of grit, heart, and muscular visual storytelling.

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As creative director and director for Face Your Dragon (35m + views), a national VA/DoD initiative, Ryan is helping reshape the conversation with service members and families—advocating secure storage, mental fitness, and the courage to face the “internal monster.” In commercials and original content, he’s led campaigns for Nike, Audi, Under Armour, Evan Williams, ABC, and long-time collaborator Oprah/OWN.

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Ryan also fronts the country-rock band RustRiders, with a debut studio album slated for early 2026. Whether on set or on stage, he builds teams that deliver bold, high-impact work and keeps a steady focus on elevating veteran creatives through mentorship and partnerships across the community.