Phillip McLaughlin

Phillip J. McLaughlin is a filmmaker from the Chicago suburbs. After graduating from Indiana University Bloomington in 2007 with degrees in Production and Film Studies he moved to Los Angeles where he started his career in animation, co-creating several series for Mondo Media and Machinima before making the successful shift to television and independent film. As a Television Editor, he’s cut on high-profile series for networks such as Netflix, Hulu, CBS, Adult Swim, Freeform, and AMC, where he survived the zombie apocalypse on all eight seasons of Fear the Walking Dead and other Walking Dead Universe series. His directorial debut short film, 'Toad Boy,' premiered in 2023 and has been programmed at fifteen festivals (and counting), playing in leading domestic and international genre festivals including Toronto After Dark, Panic Fest, and Telluride Horror Show. His television directing debut aired in the fall of 2023 with episode 809 of 'Fear the Walking Dead.' Phillip served as both Editor and Co-Producer on his most recent project, the short film ‘Red, White and Blue’ by Nazrin Choudhury. The film has won several awards, including the Grand Jury Prize at the Edmonton International Film Festival, and was nominated for Best Live Action Short Film at the 96th Academy Awards. Additionally, Phillip is a contributing editor and producer for the Chicago-based independent genre publisher Dark Matter INK. When he’s not working, Phillip enjoys watching horror movies and spending time with his family (watching horror movies).