Biography
KURTIS DAVID HARDER is an award-winning filmmaker, writer, and producer whose highly anticipated thriller INFLUENCERS is set to premiere in theaters in 2025. Serving as the follow-up to his viral social-media horror INFLUENCER, the film solidifies Harder’s status as one of the most compelling emerging voices in genre cinema.
Harder’s directorial debut came with INCONTROL, a sleek sci-fi thriller examining digital dependence. He gained wider recognition with SPIRAL, a haunting suburban nightmare that delves into paranoia, prejudice, and the perils of conformity. SPIRAL premiered to critical acclaim and showcased Harder’s unique combination of psychological tension and social commentary. He then directed INFLUENCER, a gripping, sun-soaked thriller about identity and deception in the era of online validation, which became a festival favorite and a breakout hit on Shudder. INFLUENCER topped Best Horror Films of 2023 lists from Variety, Slash, and Rotten Tomatoes, cementing Harder’s reputation as a distinctive and influential genre filmmaker.
As a producer, Harder has contributed to acclaimed indie genre films such as WHAT KEEPS YOU ALIVE, HARPOON, and V/H/S/94, working alongside a new generation of Canadian filmmakers who are reshaping modern horror. His work has been featured at major festivals including SXSW, Fantastic, Fantasia, FrightFest, and Sitges, earning accolades for its visual precision, emotional depth, and sharp insights into the digital era.
A versatile storyteller, Harder continues to expand the horizons of independent cinema by creating incisive, character-driven thrillers that reflect the complexities of the contemporary world.
