ABOUT
ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS
Kevin Wayne
Director
Kevin Wayne is an American actor, director, producer, author, and entrepreneur whose career spans more than three decades in film and television. Known for his commanding screen presence and authentic performances, Wayne has built a reputation as one of Alabama's most accomplished independent filmmakers, equally at home in front of the camera and behind it.
His acting credits include The Magnificent Seven, Tulsa King, Twisted Metal, Outer Banks, Malum, Castle Falls, The Devil Below, Run the Race, A Nashville Legacy, and numerous independent feature films and television productions. His versatility has allowed him to portray characters across drama, action, thriller, western, and horror genres, making him a sought-after collaborator for both studio and independent productions.
As a director and producer, Wayne has dedicated his career to creating commercially driven entertainment while showcasing the rich storytelling opportunities found throughout the American South. Through KW Productions and Vietanimo Films, he develops feature films, documentaries, television projects, and original intellectual properties with an emphasis on compelling stories, memorable characters, and cinematic production value.
Wayne is the creator of the award-winning Inside Chopped horror franchise, a growing independent horror universe designed to extend well beyond a single film. His vision is to build a recognizable horror brand through interconnected stories, unforgettable villains, expanding mythology, and recurring characters that can evolve across multiple feature films, spin-offs, streaming content, and merchandise. The franchise has earned multiple film festival awards and official selections, providing momentum for its continued expansion and establishing a loyal following within the independent horror community.
With additional horror projects including Hellbilly Hollow, Finger of God, Oak Mountain Murders, and other original genre films currently in development, Wayne continues to build a slate of marketable horror properties with worldwide appeal. His mission is not simply to make horror films, but to create lasting intellectual property that can grow into enduring entertainment franchises.
In addition to his work in horror, Wayne is the creator and author of the bestselling fantasy novel Grayson and the Ivy Genie, which reached the #1 position and is currently being developed into a television series. As creator of the property, Wayne is leading its adaptation for the screen, bringing his original story to a new audience while expanding his portfolio of original intellectual property.
Recently, Wayne portrayed Ray in director Tim Blake Nelson's upcoming feature The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd and Michael Mulligan in One Way Ticket to Nowhere, continuing to work alongside respected filmmakers in both studio and independent productions.Beyond filmmaking, Wayne is passionate about developing the next generation of talent. Through KW Acting Studio, he mentors aspiring actors using practical, industry-focused training based on real-world experience. His commitment to education reflects his dedication to strengthening the independent film community throughout the Southeast while creating new opportunities for emerging artists.
Whether acting, directing, producing, writing, or developing the next chapter of his growing slate of original properties, Kevin Wayne remains committed to creating compelling entertainment that connects with audiences around the world. His long-term vision is to establish one of the South's premier independent film studios while building enduring horror and family entertainment franchises that continue for generations.
Kurt Deimer
Producer
Actor, musician and film producer Kurt Deimer embodies relentless positivity and unwavering perseverance, qualities that have propelled him to multifaceted success. The Cincinnati, OH native has produced and appeared in a collection of films, released one EP and two albums, produced by Chris Lord-Alge, and toured with numerous iconic musicians including Ted Nugent, Halestorm, Sebastian Bach, Buckcherry and more.
Deimer began his acting career in 2018 when he appeared in John Carpenter's film Halloween alongside Jamie Lee Curtis where he confronted the notorious Michael Myers as the teller. He next landed a speaking role in the film Trading Paint before extending his acting career to include his next movie Scared To Death.
Scared to Death was directed by Paul Boyd and features Deimer acting alongside horror movie legends Lin Shaye (The Grudge, the Insidious film series) and Bill Moseley (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 and Carnivale), portraying the scene stealing beloved movie icon character The Grog. Critics have hailed Deimer’s performance as bold and intense and identified him as the “heart” of the film.
On the heels of Scared To Death, and after Deimer’s 2025 album And So It Begins, Deimer released his second and current album A Grog Is Born. The album opens with the single In Deep, (a duet with Buckcherry’s Josh Todd) that became Deimer’s first ever Billboard Top 40 charting single on the active rock radio charts. Other featured tracks include the Gregorian-rock feeling of 800 AD, the optimistic song True and the storytelling feel of Always There.
The album also includes a heavy re-creation of the Phil Collins classic In The Air Tonight and closes with Deimer’s gorgeous take on Silent Lucidity, which he and Queensryche’s Geoff Tate recently released with a powerful music video about the growing suicide epidemic across the world coupled with a call to action for all those who need help. The video has been resonating with people worldwide with over 800,000 views and growing daily.
Kurt Deimer’s next upcoming cinematic release is Hellbilly Hollow, a film opening in theatres September 2026 that was directed by and co-stars Kevin Wayne. The drama begins with a team of paranormal YouTubers that venture deep into the Alabama backwoods to film at a haunted attraction the day before Halloween. They encounter a sinister presence far more frightening - and deadlier - than specters and staged scares: Tickles and his caretaker brother Bull. One by one, the investigators, together with local thrill-seekers, fall victim.
All in all, Kurt Deimer’s mission is to connect with people – connect with their lives, get to know who they are, and bring them hope – no matter what he’s doing.