Finalist, Roadmap Writers Short Script Lab 2026
BIO
River Montgomery is an Austin-based film director and screenwriter. She graduated cum laude from Texas State University with a B.A. in English, an emphasis in film and a minor in theater. After pursuing playwriting and stage acting in college, River discovered her passion for filmmaking and storytelling for the screen.
Drawn to themes of identity, healing, community, the inner child, and family, River loves blending genres and tropes to craft fresh, emotionally resonant stories. Particularly within the horror, romance, historical fiction, and sci-fi genres. She strives to create immersive narratives that help audiences process life's challenges while taking them on memorable, high-stakes journeys. Most recently, she was one of three writers on the award-winning 48-hour short My Big Fat Alien Wedding and launched the podcast Film Rookie Diaries, which aims to help emerging filmmakers transition from student to professional.