Writer/Producer/Director, The Demon Core

J. Zachary Thurman is a writer and director best known for FINLEY, a viral horror-comedy short with over 10 million YouTube views, and Furry Nights (2016). A Georgia State University alum, he later earned his MFA at USC, where his award-winning shorts (Dream Jar, Run, Don’t Feed the Cat) received acclaim for writing, directing, and cinematography. He recently shot the feature Say Less (2025) and received the Sloan Foundation Grant for his film The Demon Core. Known for blending genres and crafting emotionally resonant stories, Thurman champions the theatrical experience and cinematic storytelling at its boldest.