Industry Panel: Building Fear: Crafting Indie Horror from Vision to Atmosphere (2nd floor)

By Amanda Shaffer | October 4, 2025
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Eerie Horror Fest

Horror has always thrived on bold ideas and resourceful filmmaking. This dynamic panel brings together emerging directors, producers, a cinematographer, and a composer to explore how they turn limited resources into unforgettable scares.

Moderator

  • Brian Dailey – Project Algerine (development & producing)

Panelists

  • Jackson Cooper Gango – Director of Photography on The Driftless (EHF 2025 Best of Fest Winner); Credited on IMDb as cinematographer for Death to Metal (2019), Black Web (2012)
  • Samantha Cihak – Producer of The Driftless (EHF 2025 Best of Fest Winner)
  • Gregory Polzak – Composer of The Driftless (EHF 2025 Best of Fest Winner); Credited on IMDb as composer: additional music for KPop Demon Hunters (2025)
  • Matt O’Shea – Director of Why Those Crops Grow Taller (EHF 2025 Best New Blood Winner); Credited on IMDb as actor and producer for The Assassin’s Code (2018) and Jenny’s Wedding (2015)
  • Joey Rotter – Producing Partner for Why Those Crops Grow Taller (EHF 2025 Best New Blood Winner); Credited on IMDb as producer for The Spanish Lesson (2025)

Matt O’Shea & Joey Rotter are a filmmaking duo based in New York. Their production company Next Door Pictures opened its doors in fall 2023 and recently premiered their second project The Spanish Lesson alongside Why Those Crops Grow Taller in LA this past August. They are currently in development on several projects including a pilot and multiple shorts.

 

Key Topics will include:

  • Protecting Your Vision: How indie creators stay true to their story while navigating production challenges.
  • Atmosphere on a Budget: Using visuals, sound, and practical effects to build tension without breaking the bank.
  • The Power of Collaboration: Insights into how directors, producers, cinematographers, and composers work together to craft immersive horror worlds.
  • Why the horror genre remains the ultimate playground for outsiders and innovators.

Whether you’re a filmmaker with a vision, a horror fan curious about the creative process, or someone who loves to peek behind the curtain of indie filmmaking, this panel will give you fresh insights into how fear is built, from script to screen. Don’t miss your chance to connect with the rising voices of genre cinema!