Ash Avildsen
Director | Writer | Producer | Music Label Head
Ash Avildsen created, wrote and directed the entire first season of Paradise City.
Ash is the self-made Founder & CEO of leading independent rock/alternative label Sumerian Records. Growing up in Washington DC in a single mom household, Ash got his start in the business as a touring artist, a DIY promoter and a booking agent. Building the label from a tiny Venice Beach studio apartment running his own mail-order with his mom to what it is today has been no easy task. The laptop that he started it all on was put on display at the Grammy Museum’s Golden Gods: History of Heavy Metal Exhibit. With millions of albums sold and millions of followers on Sumerian’s YouTube channel, billions of streams and several Grammy nominations, the cultural relevance of Sumerian Records is at an all-time high.
Avildsen is also known for his work as a writer and film director. His last movie American Satan was picked up by Miramax for worldwide distribution and is currently on Showtime. He won Best Director at Peekskill Film Festival as well as Best Narrative Feature At Sacramento Film Festival, Intendence Film Festival and Oceanside Film Festival. His latest project is the scripted TV music drama series “Paradise City” due out Summer 2020 featuring Bella Thorne, Disney’s Cameron Boyce and several stars from hit shows such as Sons Of Anarchy, The Sopranos, Entourage, The Walking Dead and more.
Ash’s father is Academy-Award winner John Avildsen (ROCKY, THE KARATE KID, LEAN ON ME) whom he never met until he was 34. He grew up always knowing who he was and carrying his last name, but having no relationship with him. When they finally met, they developed a beautiful friendship and bond. John passed away in the Summer of 2017 with Ash by his side.
