RACHEL LEYCO

Rachel Leyco (she/her) is an award-winning queer Filipino American multihyphenate filmmaker, actress, and content creator. Rachel is the founder of Empowerhouse, a mission-driven company that aims to empower storytellers through creativity and community.

Notably, she won a student Emmy at the 2013 College Television Awards, for her web series, The Sub Club. Her short films, Bicultural, and web series, Crazy, were official selections in film festivals around the world, including Outfest, BFI Flare: London LGBTQ+, and others. Her feature film script for Violet, Violet landed her the Runner-Up award in the 2020 Script Pipeline Screenwriting Competition. Rachel was named Network ISA’s Top 25 Screenwriters to Watch in 2021. She is in development for the 2022 GLAAD LIST x BLACK LIST Trans-led rom-com feature film, Re-Live, which she co-wrote with Emmy nominated actress, Rain Valdez, and executive produced by Rosario Dawson. Recently, she wrapped her forthcoming magical narrative short film, Thank You for Breaking My Heart, which is set to make the 2025 film festival circuit. Rachel is a grantee of the 2025 CAPE Julia S. Gouw Short Film Challenge for her short film proof-of-concept, Milk & Honey.

MILK & HONEY CREW Q&A

What’s the biggest leap of faith you’ve ever taken? The biggest leap I ever took was choosing to pursue film school and an acting career with no roadmap, no industry connections, and against my mother’s expectations for a more “secure” path. It meant stepping away from the familiar and betting entirely on myself—on my voice, my art, and the stories I felt called to tell. It was terrifying. But it was also the most freeing, affirming decision I’ve ever made. Because in that leap, I chose to live fully in my truth—and that has made all the difference.