Craig Kilgore - Director, Next Level Visions
I am a film director, cinematographer, and entrepreneur known for my passion for storytelling. I founded my company, Next Level Visions, to create bold, creative content for corporate clients and documentary films. From promotional videos to feature-length
documentaries, I bring a mix of technical skill and creative vision to every project. My documentary I Was the Weirdo (2025) explores the underground hip-hop scene in Washington, D.C., and has won multiple awards at film festivals. It received Best Documentary at the Hip Hop Film Festival in New York as well as the Audience Award at the LightReel Film Festival in Washington, D.C. My cinematography is also featured in several notable music videos, including Music Ain’t Loud Enuff (2023), My Way Home (2022), and Can’t Lose The Soul (2019).
As the founder of Next Level Visions, based in Hagerstown Maryland, I led the cinematography and visual storytelling of I Was the Weirdo. Shot in an interview-driven style, the film pairs candid storytelling with rare archival footage and unseen photos to capture a vibrant musical era that helped revitalize U Street into what it is today.
Being behind the camera for this project gave me a front-row seat to a story that’s rarely told. I’m proud to have helped shine a light on this part of D.C. history and on Priest’s role in it. My work continues to gain traction across the East Coast, helping businesses, artists, and storytellers bring their messages to life through professional video production. With a career marked by diverse experiences and a steadfast commitment to authentic storytelling, I continue to push the boundaries of traditional cinematography while emerging as a creative force in the industry.