Roy Lee joins Griffin Hunting as an executive producer, bringing along Steven Schneider to support the praised fantasy short film,
“Em & Selma Go Griffin Hunting.”
The film, which debuted at Sundance earlier in the year, has quickly made a name for itself in the genre community, securing awards and recognition for its distinctive vision. By joining as executive producers under their Spooky Pictures label, industry veterans Roy Lee (noted for “Weapons,” “Barbarian,” “It”) and Steven Schneider (“The Long Walk,” “Strange Darling,” “Late Night with the Devil”) signal their confidence in the project as it gains further momentum during awards season.
Visionary Filmmaker Alexander Thompson Crafts a Singular Fantasy World
Written and directed by Alexander Thompson,
“Em & Selma Go Griffin Hunting”
is set within a reimagined Depression-era America of the 1930s. The film stars Pollyanna McIntosh, known for her role in “The Walking Dead,” and Milly Shapiro, a Tony Award winner recognized for “Hereditary.” Together, they play a mother-daughter pair navigating a ceremonial hunt involving legendary creatures—a storyline that blends family drama with mythical adventure.
Thompson’s production methods have drawn considerable attention in the film industry. The entire project required four years in post-production, during which Thompson personally organized and led a selective global team of visual effects artists. Their collaboration resulted in the film’s memorable, award-winning creatures—attributes which have contributed to the project’s widespread festival success. Most recently, Thompson earned the best director prize at the 2025 FilmQuest Festival, solidifying his reputation as an emerging visionary in fantasy filmmaking.
Industry Leaders Applaud the Short’s Originality and Craft
After experiencing the film, both Lee and Schneider praised its creativity and high-caliber storytelling.
“Across our shared time in the biz, we’ve never seen anything quite like ‘Em & Selma Go Griffin Hunting,’”
said Lee and Schneider.
“Thompson has drawn together unexpected sources of disparate inspiration to create a film that feels wholly original and singular in its vision, a rare feat for most features, never mind an 18-minute short. The craftsmanship and world-building specificity is phenomenal — we’re thrilled to help give the film the boost it deserves moving into awards seasons. We expect big things from Thompson and his team moving forward, and we’re glad we were able to be there where the journey began for this visionary writer/director.”
— Roy Lee and Steven Schneider, Executive Producers.
This endorsement from two respected genre filmmakers highlights the high expectations surrounding Thompson’s future projects, as well as the significance of having industry mainstays back such a distinctive short.
Director Thompson Acknowledges New Creative Partnerships
Director Alexander Thompson expressed gratitude for the support and the collaboration fostered during the film’s lengthy development.
“The whole team is incredibly excited and grateful for Roy and Steven’s support. ‘Em & Selma’ was a half-decade obsession that taught me so many wonderful and painful lessons, and introduced me to a number of indispensable new collaborators I can’t wait to continue growing alongside. I’m humbled that Roy and Steven are now part of a small cadre of daring souls who have helped bring our strange little mother/daughter fable to a wider audience.”
— Alexander Thompson, Writer/Director.
The film’s production team is rounded out by Roger M. Mayer of Brooklyn Reptyle Productions, executive producers Russell Sanzgiri & Zeus Kontoyannis of Zeus Pictures, and Pierce Csurgo & Joseph Zentil of Strange Customs. Thompson is represented by IAG, Redshift Management, and Myman Greenspan, underscoring the film’s broad base of professional support.
Festival Circuit Success and Future Prospects
Since its premiere at Sundance,
“Em & Selma Go Griffin Hunting”
has screened at nearly fifty festivals and earned over twenty awards. Its singular visual tone and character-driven narrative have encouraged repeated recognition from critics and festival judges alike. The film’s continued momentum, especially with the recent addition of Roy Lee and Steven Schneider to its team, positions it for further acclaim as award season advances.
With its unique narrative approach, committed creative team, and experienced new executive producers such as Roy Lee joining Griffin Hunting, observers and fans can anticipate even greater achievements and wider exposure for both Alexander Thompson and the film’s distinctive vision in the coming months.
