Derek MacDonald

President @Boom Goes The Drum Events

CopywritingContent WriterProofreaderEditorDirectorC-level ExecutiveProducerCEOConsultingEntertainmentScreenwriterBusiness Owner

Derek MacDonald is a writer, director, and creative producer with a background in large-scale live event broadcasts, narrative film and a passion for emotionally charged, character-driven filmmaking. With 19 years of experience producing major arts, cultural, and corporate shows and content across North America, Derek has honed his ability to manage complex productions, collaborate with diverse teams, and craft compelling narratives in high-pressure environments. As co-founder and president of the award-winning creative agency Boom Goes The Drum, Derek led the creative development of immersive live experiences and video campaigns, working with global talent such as Steve Martin, Kate Winslet, k.d. lang, Dan Levy, Bryan Adams, and Adam Gopnik. This work sharpened his talent for reading a room — or a subject — and drawing out the deeper story beneath the surface, a skill he brings into every documentary and scripted project he helms. In 2020, Derek transitioned full-time into filmmaking. He graduated from Vancouver Film School’s Film Production Program (Directing & Cinematography) and later trained with the Sundance Co//ab Feature Screenwriting Program. His directorial debut Cake (2021) won multiple festival awards, and his Crazy8s short Undeveloped (2022) screened internationally, earning accolades in Florence, Paris, Houston, and IndieX, along with three Leo Award nominations, including Best Screenwriting. Now working between Canada and Europe, Derek is focused on offbeat, emotionally resonant narratives — especially untold queer stories — exploring themes of identity, memory, and truth through a deeply human lens.