Cecily Gambrell is an award-winning filmmaker. She is a writer, producer and director with three decades in the entertainment industry. Beginning as a production assistant, Cecily built her career from the ground up through  firsthand experience in the realities of filmmaking before becoming a producer, entrepreneur, and founder of two production companies.

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Cecily’s labor for the love of storytelling began early. At age six, she was on stage acting in her grandmother’s theater program at Carmel’s historic Forest Theater. By sixteen she had written her first screenplay, and was immersed in video production cirriculum through her high school media program. Her earliest creative instincts brought her to Los Angeles, where she began building a career at the age of 18.

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Cecily’s film education came through experience—working on productions ranging from independent low-budget films to major studio blockbusters. Beginning as a production assistant, she learned the craft, discipline, and collaborative nature of filmmaking by observing and participating in the process alongside experienced filmmakers and production teams. Her production credits include genre films such as HELLRAISER and HALLOWEEN, as well as major studio productions including ESCAPE FROM L.A., BATMAN & ROBIN, ARMAGEDDON, GONE IN 60 SECONDS, PEARL HARBOR, THE SIEGE, INSPECTOR GADGET and ZOOLANDER.

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Cecily's production work on back to back Jerry Bruckheimer productions, under Executive Producer Barry Waldman, created the blueprint for her professional model, providing first hand experience and front row exposure to the caliber of expertise, leadership and collaboration required to bring large-scale productions from script to screen.

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After years of production experience, Cecily expanded into producing her own work, founding two production companies, including her current company, MARGOT TRIP. As a producer and filmmaker, she has developed, written, produced, directed, and appeared in independent projects, including short films photographed on motion picture film stock and exhibited through festival circuits. Her work reflects a hands-on understanding of filmmaking from development through production, post-production, delivery, and audience engagement.

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Her producing credits include the Imagen Award-nominated documentary CHAMPION, profiling the life and career of Danny Trejo, which celebrated its twentieth anniversary in 2025, and the Lionsgate feature comedy HIGH HOPES, along with additional independent film, commercial, and music-related productions.

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Cecily is currently directing and producing Big Chips, an international documentary series exploring the history, innovation, and future impact of the semiconductor industry, with a focus on the women shaping technology and leadership. Production began in Taipei, Taiwan, in 2023 and continues through international filming and episodic post-production.

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A longtime member of SAG-AFTRA, Cecily has also maintained an active career as a performer, appearing in independent and television productions including Desperate Housewives. Her experience as a performer continues to inform her work with actors, directors, and creative collaborators.

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Her storytelling career has also expanded into automotive and motorsports, where she applies her filmmaking background to brand storytelling, media production, and community engagement. During her time with Porsche Monterey, she created award-winning automotive content, completed Porsche Certified Brand Ambassador training, and deepened her involvement in motorsports culture. She currently serves as President of the Monterey Chapter of Women in Motorsports North America, supporting greater visibility and opportunity for women throughout the industry.