A previous guest on a past Women in Horror Month spotlight, I'm pleased to welcome back Shannon Thompson to talk about her work with the Buried Alive Horror Film Festival and other upcoming projects.
Me: Hello and thank you for returning to this! Since last we spoke, you are now the Festival Director for the Buried Alive Horror Film Festival. How did this come about?
Shannon Thompson: First, let me start by saying, Don, thank you for having me back for this interview and for your continued support of women filmmakers and their craft.
Yes, I am excited to say I am now the Festival Director for the biggest horror film festival in Georgia. I’ve been a huge fan of the Buried Alive Horror Film Festival for years, so when the opportunity arose to step into the role of Festival Director, it felt like a natural evolution. The festival has an incredible legacy of showcasing bold, innovative horror, and I’m honored to carry that forward while also bringing in elements that reflect my own artistic vision. My goal is to expand its reach while staying true to its roots, preserving what has always made it special while introducing fresh ideas that push the genre forward.
What made this transition seamless was how aligned I am with the festival’s founders—we share a similar vision for what Buried Alive represents and where we want it to go. It was an absolute no-brainer to take on this role. So far, the experience has been incredible, especially seeing the horror filmmaking community come together in one place. I love witnessing the passion and creativity in the room, hearing filmmakers ask each other things like, “How did you pull off that shot?” or “What inspired this idea?” That sense of collaboration and shared excitement is what makes this festival so special, but also warms my filmmaker's heart. I am a huge fan of each one of our filmmakers and I am honored that they would like to share their art with us.
Me: Taking over such a prestigious and long-running festival, what type of activities and events are you looking to continue with taking over the role?
ST: Buried Alive has always been about celebrating horror in all its forms—whether it’s indie features, shorts, or experimental work. I want to continue our tradition of interactive events, including live performances, filmmaker Q&As, and immersive horror experiences. In addition, we’re expanding networking opportunities for filmmakers and audiences to connect, fostering a thriving horror community through panels, workshops, and discussions led by industry leaders, distributors, and investors. Film networking is a major focus, creating more opportunities for collaboration and career growth. We’re also strengthening our community outreach efforts, ensuring that horror fans and filmmakers alike have a space to share their passion, support one another, and continue pushing the genre forward.
Me: What type of work have you accomplished that helps to ensure the success of the festival going forward?
ST: For over 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of working on more than 150 corporate films, commercials, music videos, features, and shorts. Throughout my journey, I’ve collaborated with incredible executive producers, directors, and industry professionals, gaining invaluable experience. But the true success of Buried Alive isn’t about my background. I’m deeply grateful to our founders, Blake Myers and Lucas Godfrey, for building Buried Alive into the thriving festival it is today. My passion for art and filmmaking drives me to continue its legacy, and I’m truly honored to be part of this journey.
As the festival director watching innovative and inspiring films fuels my passion and reminds me why this industry is so special. It’s not just about the work; it’s about the community—the artists, the storytellers, and the energy that comes from bringing people together. Seeing filmmakers connect, and ask each other, “How did you pull off that shot?” or “What inspired this idea?” is what truly keeps the creative spirit alive.
I want BAFF to be a place where people find their film family, much like the Smodcastle Film Festival did for me. Because of that experience, I had the opportunity to meet and collaborate with two incredibly talented filmmakers, Leticia Buchanan and Eddie Lebron. Now, we’re constantly bouncing ideas off each other, and pushing our creativity forward. If BAFF can do the same—help filmmakers connect, build lasting creative partnerships, and inspire one another—then it’s a huge success, even if it only brings in 100 people. It’s about fostering that passion, that ride-or-die collaboration, and creating a space where artists can thrive together. That is what makes BAFF a huge success.
Me: What has been the most memorable experience you’ve had in the position with the festival?
ST: Last year, BAFF welcomed nearly 900 people through the doors of The Plaza Theatre—a milestone that was exciting in itself. But one of the most unforgettable moments wasn’t just the numbers; it was watching a packed house react to a filmmaker’s first-ever screening. Seeing a director experience that whirlwind of excitement, nerves, and triumph in real-time is what makes all the hard work worthwhile. The energy of horror fans is truly unmatched, and witnessing them come together to celebrate the genre, support new voices, and share in those powerful cinematic moments is something I’ll never forget.
Me: How, if any, has working in this capacity changed the approach you have with your own film productions?
ST: It’s given me a broader perspective on what resonates with audiences. Seeing so many different styles of horror and hearing audience reactions has influenced how I approach storytelling. It’s also reinforced the importance of pacing, atmosphere, and originality—things that truly make a horror film stand out.
Me: Speaking of Rock With Siren LLC, you’ve started expanding your services into a full-service studio. What has been the reaction to the increased workload as well as working with the festival?
ST: It’s been an exciting challenge! The response has been overwhelmingly positive, and the increased workload has only fueled my passion for creating and supporting horror content. Balancing the festival with Rock With Siren’s expansion has required careful strategic planning, but seeing both grow in meaningful ways has made it all worthwhile.
We’re also thrilled to welcome key executives to our team, including Willie May as Vice President and Executive Producer, Leticia Buchanan as Executive Producer and Head of Productions (Who we met in Smodcastle.), and always by my side is my loving and inspiring husband Jason Thompson as our Production Coordinator. Their expertise and dedication will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Rock with Siren and bringing our creative vision to life.
Me: How much involvement do you have with new productions and creations from the studio?
ST: I’m heavily involved, from concept development to production. I love collaborating with filmmakers and our incredibly talented team, helping shape stories, and ensuring they have the resources they need to bring their visions to life. Whether it’s in an advisory capacity or hands-on in the creative process.
Me: As an avid proponent of bringing a film industry to Georgia, what does that mean to you to start this kind of movement?
ST: Georgia has an incredible horror and indie film scene, and I’m committed to fostering its growth. With many studios shifting their services abroad following the strikes, now more than ever, we need to support local filmmakers and keep independent productions thriving right here at home. Who am I to take on such a massive undertaking? I’m just someone who refuses to sit back and wait for change—I’d rather be part of making it happen.
I’m actively working with our Buried Alive sponsors and education outreach programs, volunteering my time to collaborate with organizations like the Georgia Film Office and other industry partners. With the support of BAFF sponsors and our dedicated volunteers, my goal is to create more opportunities for filmmakers to produce and showcase their work locally. Georgia shouldn’t just be a place where big productions come to film—it should be a thriving hub where indie creators can build sustainable careers, tell bold stories, and bring their unique visions to life.
Me: What else are you working on that you’d like to share with our readers?
ST: There’s always something in the works! Right now, I’m developing new horror projects through Rock With Siren, curating unique experiences for the festival, and continuing to build platforms that support indie filmmakers. Stay tuned for announcements—you never know what eerie surprises might be coming next!
Me: Lastly, being that this is our Women in Horror Movement, what special message do you have for any women out there looking to join the industry in any capacity as you are one yourself?
ST: Go for it. Horror needs your voice. The industry still has room to grow in terms of representation, and the best way to change that is to step in and make your mark. Whether you’re directing, writing, producing, acting, having fun, or creating in any form—find your community, support others, and don’t let anything or anyone stop you. Your stories matter, and the horror genre is richer when more diverse voices are part of it.
Me: Thank you again for your time!
ST: Thank you, Don! It’s always a pleasure to share and be part of these conversations. You never know who you might inspire, and the fact that you continue to highlight filmmakers year after year is truly inspiring in itself. I appreciate the opportunity!
This interview ran as part of our 2025 Women in Horror Movement series. Click the banner below to check out all the featured interviews in this series:
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