Meet Kelly McKay of Brooklyn

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly McKay.

Hi Kelly, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in a creative household. My parents homeschooled my three sisters and me, and they were always finding inventive, creative approaches to education. One Christmas, I was given a camcorder, and I became completely absorbed in it. I’d zoom all the way in and then all the way out on people’s faces, fascinated by how much you could capture in a single moment. That curiosity stuck.

I also played soccer throughout my childhood with my sisters, on various teams. It was a gritty, competitive environment, and that drive stayed with me as I grew. I went on to study film at SCAD, where I also played on the women’s soccer team.

For a while, it felt like I had to choose between those two paths, but I eventually realized they could coexist. Now, I’m working as a director in the sports space, bringing those two parts of my life together.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road. The creative industry is tough, and I didn’t have a clear blueprint starting out. I didn’t know anyone personally who was doing what I wanted to do, especially within sports. I understood that people made films, but I had no real sense of how to break in or build a career doing it.

A lot of it came down to figuring things out on my own through trial and error. I took on different roles, learned by being on set, and slowly built both skills and relationships. There were moments of uncertainty and a lot of self-navigation, but that process also helped me develop a stronger point of view and a clearer sense of where I fit within the industry.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a director working primarily in the sports space, with a focus on character-driven storytelling. My work sits at the intersection of athletics and identity, often centering on women’s sports and the communities that form around them. I’m drawn to stories that feel intimate and grounded, and I tend to approach projects with a blend of documentary realism and a slightly surreal, visual edge.

I think I’m known for bringing a strong sense of empathy into my work. Building trust is a key part of my process. That often leads to performances and moments that feel honest and real.

What I’m most proud of is carving out a path that combines both my background in sports and my work as a filmmaker. For a long time, those felt like separate identities, and being able to merge them into a cohesive body of work has been really meaningful.

What sets me apart is that dual perspective. I understand the physical and emotional demands of being an athlete, and I bring that lived experience into how I tell stories. It allows me to connect with subjects in a way that goes beyond observation and translates into work that feels personal, specific, and real.

“We No Longer Have to Choose” (CBS Sports x Togethxr) is a project I’m really proud of. It follows two mothers returning to soccer after having children, and it captures something I care deeply about. The idea that women don’t have to give up parts of themselves to exist in different roles. It felt personal, and I approached it in a very intimate, observational way that reflects how I like to work.

I also recently worked with Hettas, a women’s running shoe brand, on a project that follows real female runners as they reflect on how their bodies change over time and what that means for how they run, train, and stay connected to their bodies.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success as being able to sustain a career where I’m consistently making work that feels honest to me. It’s less about external markers and more about whether I’m telling stories I believe in, working with people I respect, and continuing to grow creatively.

On a more practical level, it’s about stability too. Being able to support myself through my work, have the freedom to choose the projects I take on, and create space to keep developing new ideas.

Ultimately, success is that balance between creative fulfillment, sustainability, and impact.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thekellymckay.com
• Instagram: @thekellymckay

Image Credits
Kristina Sikora and Jonathan O’Sullivan