József Gallai

**József Gallai: A Trailblazer in Found Footage Horror**

József Gallai's journey into the world of filmmaking began after viewing the film *Lady in the Water* in 2006, which sparked his passion for writing screenplays and short stories. From 2009 to 2012, he focused on amateur filmmaking across various genres, honing his craft.

In 2014, Gallai made a significant mark in the horror genre with *Bodom*, Hungary's inaugural feature-length found footage horror film. The film premiered at the Bram Stoker International Film Festival in Whitby, UK, and garnered multiple nominations at various festivals, including the 30 Dies Festival in Andorra and the New York Scary Film Awards. It also contended for the Golden Rake Award for Indie Horror and was recognized at the Amazon Horror Awards in Brazil.

The following year, *Bodom* competed in the final selection at the Full Moon Horror & Fantasy Film Festival in Romania, alongside acclaimed films like *Welp* and *Horsehead*.

In early 2016, Gallai completed *Moth*, which earned the 4th Best Feature Film award at the International Horror Hotel in Cleveland, Ohio. The film received praise for its innovative approach, drawing comparisons to David Lynch's work. Later that year, he released *A Guidebook to Killing Your Ex*, a film characterized by its dark humor and exceptional performances, earning nominations at the 2017 International Filmmaker Festival World Cinema in Nice.

Gallai continued to build his portfolio with the short film *Echoes* in 2018 and directed two internationally recognized films, *Spirits in the Dark* and *The Whispering Man*, slated for global release in 2020. Currently, he is developing *The Poltergeist Diaries*, featuring Oscar nominee Eric Roberts.