Welcome to the Team, Austin J. Rutherford!

Welcome to the Team, Austin J. Rutherford!

Zombie Media is proud to officially welcome Austin J. Rutherford to our growing creative family, a multi‑talented filmmaker whose experience spans acting, producing, assistant directing, puppetry, and hands‑on production work across both indie and major studio projects.

Hailing from Harlan County, Kentucky, Austin brings more than a decade of industry experience, a deep love for storytelling, and a proven track record of delivering high‑quality work on films that have reached national audiences.

🌟 Highlights From Austin’s Career

• Work on major productions including Rust Creek, Above Suspicion, and the pilot episode of USA Network’s The Sinner

• Founder of Wicked Vision Productions, bringing entrepreneurial drive and creative leadership to every project

• Actor with a wide range — from horror to true crime to regional dramas

• Producer on multiple genre films, including The Town Without Halloween, The Whisper in the Woods, and Friday the 13th: The Awakening

• Skilled assistant director and production department veteran with credits on Rust Creek, Above Suspicion, and more

🎥 Why Austin Is a Perfect Fit for Zombie Media

Austin’s background aligns seamlessly with our mission: authentic storytelling, regional roots, and a passion for genre filmmaking, especially horror, folklore, and documentary‑driven narratives. His experience across departments gives him a rare 360‑degree understanding of production, and his creative instincts make him a natural collaborator for the projects we’re building.

As Zombie Media continues expanding our catalog, from Bigfoot documentaries to indie horror to new original productions, Austin’s talent and versatility will help elevate our work to the next level.

👣 Join Us in Welcoming Austin!

We’re excited for the films, ideas, and creative energy he’ll bring to the studio. Please join us in welcoming Austin J. Rutherford to the Zombie Media team!

ZMP

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Searching for Sasquatch: The Ozar Howler

Searching for Sasquatch: The Ozar Howler

The wildly popular and entertaining Searching for Sasquatch continues with number 17 in the documentary film series.

Jason Kenzie leads a fearless team of Bigfoot hunters deep into the haunted caves of the Ozark Mountains. This pulse-pounding documentary plunges you into darkness and dread, keeping you clinging to the edge of your seat. Will Jason and his crew uncover chilling proof of the elusive Ozark Howler, or vanish within the endless, unforgiving tunnels of this cursed wilderness?

Check out the trailer

Coming Soon from Zombie Media!

ZMP

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Navigating Tough Times: An Indie Reality Check

Navigating Tough Times: An Indie Reality Check

Let’s face it, this past year has been rough across the board for independent filmmakers and distributors. While the terrain isn’t new, the pressure has undeniably intensified. Personalized pitching by aggregators has slowed to a crawl. Revenue streams that once felt dependable are now drying up across the industry. Everyone’s seeing a drop, and it’s not just creators, but distributors too.

We’re watching a dramatic shift in the streaming landscape, one that’s squeezing the very heart of indie storytelling. Platforms are increasingly prioritizing films with built-in engagement metrics—prepackaged audiences, viral traction, or celebrity cachet—over the raw creativity and originality that grassroots creators bring to the table. The nurturing of grassroots filmmakers is almost completely gone. 

Take Tubi, for example. Once open to a wide range of voices, it’s now becoming more selective. Films from creators without major online followings are being edged out, no matter how strong the content. We saw Amazon make this pivot a couple of years ago, and it’s clearly a growing trend across the board.

What’s especially disheartening is the disconnect between platform promises and practice. Many claim to amplify diverse, unique perspectives—yet in practice, access is increasingly dictated by algorithms and follower counts. That leaves passionate, small-batch films on the cutting room floor, while more “market-friendly” content dominates the front page.

At Zombie Media, we’re not blind to the storm—but we’re not standing still either.

We’re actively implementing changes aimed at adaptation and sustainability. From repackaging titles into curated niche bundles, to refining pitch strategies for FAST channels, to investing in platform-specific outreach—we’re leaning into what can be done, even as doors close. We're also doubling down on strengthening community engagement, because word-of-mouth and authenticity still matter—maybe now more than ever.

The road ahead is murky, but not without hope. And for the creators walking this same uncertain path, we want to say: you're not imagining it. The landscape is shifting. But so are we.

We’re Still Standing—and Still Supporting

At Zombie Media, we remain committed to what sparked our journey in the first place: championing independent voices that might otherwise go unheard. Whether it’s a cryptid documentary with Appalachian roots, a raw drama made on a shoestring budget, or a quirky genre film with something to say, we believe in the power of small stories to make a big impact.

If you're an indie creator feeling the pinch, know this: you're not alone. We’re still here, still pitching, still building connections, and still working to get independent films in front of the audiences they deserve.

Let’s keep telling stories—together.

ZMP

 

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