Wes Hurley

Wes Hurley is a Russian-American writer and filmmaker. He has collaborated with many theater, drag, and cabaret performers in Seattle and raised awareness of human rights violations in Russia.

Early life and education Born and raised in Vladivostok, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union (present-day Vladivostok, Russia), Hurley moved to Seattle in the 1990s at the age of 16 with his mother after she married an American.

Career Hurley's films, many with gay themes, include Waxie Moon, Waxie Moon in Fallen Jewel, Zolushka, Rusalka, and the web and later TV series Capitol Hill, which premiered in 2014. He has also collaborated with theater, cabaret, and drag performers including Waxie Moon, Sarah Rudinoff, Jinkx Monsoon, BenDeLaCreme, and Jackie Hell, and raised awareness of human rights violations in Russia.

His film Little Potato had its online premiere on Topic and was later picked up by The Atlantic and Criterion Channel. Cult filmmaker John Waters praised the film's performances and comedic timing after attending its screening at Provincetown International Film Festival. Following its limited theatrical run, the film was positively received by critics and audiences, certified Fresh by Rotten Tomatoes with 91% approval from critics and 85% approval by audiences on the site. Salon named Potato Dreams of America one of "9 of the Best Movies About American Immigrants" along with Everything Everywhere All At Once, Brooklyn and Scarface. The Bay Area Reporter wrote: "Hurley harvests his storytelling skills, resulting in a bumper crop of emotions, with laughter and tears in equal measure." While Variety stated that: "The very existence of Potato Dreams of America is its own happy ending: It’s a calling card, at least, that prompts curiosity over what stories, or whose stories, Hurley will tell next." Hurley has been a regular contributor to Huffington Post.

Personal life Hurley realized he was gay before leaving Russia; He was chosen as a Person to Watch in 2015 by The Advocate. In 2024, Hurley was awarded Seattle International Film Festival Courageous Documentary Filmmaking Grant for his new film on Shelly's Leg.