Shannon Ford Thompson
Festival Director
Shannon Ford Thompson is the Director of the Buried Alive Film Festival and President of the Atlanta Horror Society, where she works year-round to champion bold, boundary-pushing horror. A filmmaker, curator, community builder, and passionate genre advocate, Shannon brings years of experience and a deep love for the macabre to every aspect of the festival—from programming to building community. Under her leadership, BAFF has become one of the Southeast’s most thrilling and original horror film festivals.
Shannon’s favorite horror movie: Return of The Living Dead, Army of Darkness, & The Thing
Willie May
Festival Coordinator, Sponsorship, Events & Entertainment
Willie May is an Executive and Producer with a passion for immersive storytelling across film, television, and live experiences. He has contributed developing major horror IPs, collaborating with genre icons like Rob Zombie and Blumhouse to bring their terrifying worlds to life through themed attractions and haunted experiences. After co-creating and pitching Hellevator, Willie now channels his energy into elevating Georgia’s premier horror film event, the Buried Alive Film Festival, where he continues to push boundaries and celebrate bold, original voices in horror.
Willie May’s favorite horror movie: Killer Klowns From Outer Space
Josh Gould
Program Director
With over a decade of experience in the film industry—primarily in the art department—Josh Gould brings a keen eye for detail and a deep passion for storytelling to every project. He began his journey with the Buried Alive Film Festival as a dedicated volunteer and steadily rose through the ranks to become the festival’s Program Director. Josh remains committed to championing bold, boundary-pushing films and supporting the next generation of horror filmmakers.
Josh Gould’s favorite horror movie: Knife+Heart
Dayna Noffke
Screenplay Director
Dayna Noffke is a WGAE screenwriter and director known for crafting “horror with heart” — bold, character-driven stories often laced with dark humor and a strong female perspective. Her work thrives on caffeine and gallows wit, blending emotional depth with genre thrills. Her debut feature film, EIDOLON, is currently in post-production, promising a chilling yet heartfelt cinematic experience. Dayna is also the author of the upcoming novelization of Jack Hill’s cult classic SPIDER BABY, further cementing her passion for horror’s rich legacy and future.
Dayna Noffke’s favorite horror movie: Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Jeremy Mercer
Marketing / Social Media Director
A filmmaker, horror enthusiast, and social media strategist with over 15 years of experience in digital content creation. He is the creator of I Green Screen Things, an account that has amassed over 4 million followers across platforms. Jeremy has collaborated with top-tier influencers and content creators, each with millions of followers, to produce engaging and viral content. His work includes successful campaigns for major brands such as Universal Music, Prime Video, Carl’s Jr., and IHOP.
Jeremy’s favorite horror film: Evil Dead 2
Alison Turley Zavcer
Volunteer Coordinator
Originally from South Florida and Illinois, Alison now calls Atlanta home. As the Volunteer Coordinator for Buried Alive Film Festival, she’s passionate about building a strong, dedicated team — and she’s thrilled to see familiar faces return this year. A true horror fan at heart, Alison swears by Telephone Trouble for its top-tier zombies.
Alison’s favorite horror movie: The Happening.