J.D. Lifschitz
Screamfest Alumni Spotlight: J.D. Lifshitz
J.D. Lifshitz is a testament to the power of the independent horror community. A longtime friend of the festival, Lifshitz first made waves at Screamfest as an executive producer of the 2018 cult hits Dementia: Part II and the brutal collegiate thriller Pledge. Alongside his partner Raphael Margules at BoulderLight Pictures, he has built a reputation for championing bold, high-concept genre stories that push boundaries.
Since his early screenings at the TCL Chinese Theatre, J.D. has evolved into a powerhouse producer responsible for some of the most talked-about horror and thriller titles of the decade:
The Global Phenomenon: He produced the 2022 breakout hit Barbarian, which shocked audiences and critics alike with its unpredictable twists.
The Action-Horror Hybrid: He was behind the high-octane survival films Becky and its sequel, The Wrath of Becky.
The New Era of Horror: His recent slate includes the sci-fi thriller Companion (2025) and the highly anticipated "horror epic" Weapons, directed by Zach Cregger.
Genre Versatility: Beyond pure horror, he has expanded into prestigious thrillers like Anna Kendrick’s Woman of the Hour and A24’s Friendship.
From managing practical FX challenges on indie sets to signing first-look deals with major studios like New Line Cinema, J.D. Lifshitz remains a shining example of a Screamfest filmmaker who turned a passion for the genre into a career defining the future of horror cinema.
