Nick Oceano Armendáriz – Director Biography

Nick Oceano Armendáriz is a Los Angeles–based filmmaker drawn to stories where politics and intimacy collide. His work centers on identity, power, and the quiet rebellions that shape personal history.

His feature debut, Pedro — written by Academy Award winner Dustin Lance Black — chronicled the life of AIDS activist Pedro Zamora and screened internationally, including at the Toronto and Berlin Film Festivals. The film received nominations for the Humanitas Prize, a WGA Award, and a GLAAD Award, affirming Nick’s commitment to emotionally grounded, socially resonant storytelling.

A graduate of the USC School of Cinematic Arts, Nick has collaborated with filmmakers Wash Westmoreland and Richard Glatzer (Still Alice) and Oscar-winning producer Brunson Green (The Help). He wrote and directed the pilot for Falling for Angels: Boyle Heights, and his feature script Finding Albie Finch is being executive produced by Harbinger Pictures. He is currently developing a horror project with Final Destination creator Jeffrey Reddick, as well as a feature with producer Alexander AD that is being adapted into a musical.

In parallel with his directing career, Nick mentors emerging filmmakers through his incubator program and produces socially conscious work amplifying LGBTQ+, female, and BIPOC voices. His films aim to confront systems while illuminating the fragile, human spaces within them.