Local Filmmaker Zombie Durand Brings Horror to Life in Rhode Island

​For Pawtucket native Zombie Durand, a lifelong obsession with horror movies isn't just a hobby—it's a way of life. The independent filmmaker is making waves in the local film scene, crafting terrifying short films and building a community of horror enthusiasts right here in Rhode Island.
Durand’s love for the genre began at a young age. He recalls catching a glimpse of The Exorcist on television as a child, an experience that sparked a lifelong addiction to being scared. "It did take me a while to understand these are just movies," Durand admitted, remembering how the film Candyman once left him too frightened to use the bathroom at night.
That childhood fear eventually transformed into a passion for creating scares of his own. Shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic, Durand decided to take a shot at filmmaking. He wrote and directed his first short film, which enjoyed success on the film festival circuit and won several awards. Now, he is promoting his latest 10-to-15-minute short film, Rotten Summer, which features a custom-built zombie costume designed by a Hollywood prop veteran.
Creating independent horror requires resourcefulness, especially since Durand self-funds his projects to showcase his capabilities to potential investors for future feature-length films. During the production of Rotten Summer, the crew needed to film in a cemetery at night. After struggling to secure permits in Rhode Island, Durand and his Pennsylvania-based Director of Photography, Drew, got creative. They built a highly realistic, custom foam cemetery on an empty lot in Pennsylvania. "It was the creepiest thing you could ever see," Durand noted.
Durand’s dedication to the horror genre goes far beyond his movie sets. A few years ago, he legally changed his name to Zombie Durand. According to the judge who approved it, it was one of the most significant name changes in Rhode Island history. "I use my name to brand myself, and it's been working fantastically," he said.
Looking ahead, Durand hopes his successful shorts will lead to funding for a feature-length project. In the meantime, he is bringing the horror community together through local events. He currently organizes "Zombie Fest," a convention-style gathering featuring vendors and celebrity autographs at The Downstairs in Smithfield. The next event, Zombie Fest 3, is scheduled for June 14th.
For updates on Rotten Summer and future events, fans can find him on Facebook under his legal name, Zombie Durand.