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Holly Soriano On Producing My Apocalyptic Thanksgiving, Potentially Directing Her Own Film

December 13, 2025 | Posted by Bryan Kristopowitz

Image Credit: Freestyle Digital Media

The 411 Interview: Holly Soriano

Image Credit: Shari Nault

Holly Soriano is a writer, director, and producer who has been working in film, according to her IMDb page, since at least 2017. Soriano has produced and directed such short films as Promises (2021), The Real Ross Liverpool (2023), and They Say He Snapped… (2025), among others. Soriano’s first feature film as a producer is the comedy-drama My Apocalyptic Thanksgiving, which can currently be watched on the free Tubi streaming platform (you can watch the movie here). In this interview, Soriano talks with this writer about making My Apocalyptic Thanksgiving, assembling the movie’s director and cast, and more.

Image Credit: Freestyle Digital Media

Bryan Kristopowitz: Why did you want My Apocalyptic Thanksgiving to be your first feature length movie as a producer?

Holly Soriano: Richard Soriano wrote a beautiful script drawn from his experiences caring for adults with special needs. I was so excited when we decided to make it into a film since I’ve always wanted to make stories about giving humanity to people with invisible disabilities. And when Richard threw in some zombies? It was a no brainer.

BK: Where was My Apocalyptic Thanksgiving made?

HS: The main story was primarily filmed in South Central Los Angeles. Other locations were Hollywood and various places throughout greater Los Angeles.

BK: Describe your working relationship with My Apocalyptic Thanksgiving director Charles B. Unger.

HS: We chose Charlie since he had completed two indie features along with a solid film education at USC. He thought visually and worked well with the actors. This opened up the story to give it a real cinematic feel to it. I learned an absolute ton from him that I apply to my own directing.

Image Credit: Freestyle Digital Media

BK: How did you cast My Apocalyptic Thanksgiving?

HS: We worked with the now defunct CAZT studios to have in person auditions along with self-tapes. Some were referrals. Some of our zombies were found on Craigslist. I also reached out to the Kappa Alpha Theta Houses at USC and UCLA since I’m a Theta alum. We also gave a questionnaire to make our final choices. A cool thing about our audition process is how everyone trying out had some connection to the disability community.

BK: What was the hardest part of making My Apocalyptic Thanksgiving? What was the easiest?

HS: I believe being hung up on things being hard makes them hard. Sure, it was difficult that Richard Soriano had a heart attack in the middle of post-production, but we found a way to get through that. Yes, I wish he hadn’t had the heart attack. As for the rest, it was the most incredible film school that I could want to supplement my Masters of Fine Arts in screenwriting.

BK: How long did it take to make My Apocalyptic Thanksgiving, from getting the script in order to completing post-production?

HS: My Apocalyptic Thanksgiving took 12 years from idea to distribution. Richard took his time to ensure he had a quality script. We took this approach to the entire process of putting together the movie to ensure that it was the best it could be with our existing resources. It was an absolute honor when it won best script and best actor at the Entr’2 Marches Film Festival in Cannes. We had such a wonderful time at that festival since it celebrates films from around the world showcasing individuals with disabilities being vital parts of society.

BK: Do you have a favorite scene in My Apocalyptic Thanksgiving?

HS: How many hours do you have? In all seriousness, each and every scene has magic in its own way to me. I still feel so incredibly blessed to have been able to help create this movie.

Image Credit: Freestyle Digital Media

BK: According to your IMDb page, you’ve directed several short films. Do you have any interest in eventually directing a feature length film?

HS: Absolutely! My purpose with those microbudget shorts was to experiment and get down my skills to be able to build on them for features.

BK: Any moviemaking heroes?

HS: I’m following Robert Rodriguez’s method for El Mariarchi (1992) on my feature next year. Well, minus the selling my body to science part. Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing (1989) taught me that films don’t need to be big to say something. Also, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino, Christopher Nolan, Chad Stahelski, John Dahl and, of course, Edgar Wright.

BK: Any upcoming projects you can tell us about?

HS: I’m reworking my microbudget feature 3 Wishes to be shot here in Montana next year a la Robert Rodriguez. I’ve also signed a contract with the Montana Film Commission Office to be a script consultant. I’m teaching a short film production class using my short film model at Billings Community Education in spring 2026. I’m also about to launch my YouTube Channel for my new indie film production company Darkness and Joy Productions.

I’m also setting up my breathwork process coach business Renew Release since I’m a level three certified breathworker. It also plays an integral role in my filmmaking because it taught me how to hold non-judgmental space for people to tap into their own inner wisdom. I’ve found this to be super helpful to elevate collaboration throughout the filmmaking process.

Image Credit: Freestyle Digital Media

BK: What do you hope audiences get out of My Apocalyptic Thanksgiving?

HS: We’re all loved unconditionally even on our bad days because we all have the right to make mistakes and be ourselves.

BK: What happened to those zombie action figures?

HS: Our production designer and props creator, Carlo Garduno, hand crafted each of those dolls just for Marcus. We’re also kicking around people being able to get their very own zombie doll to share Thanksgiving Lunch.