NICHOLAS PAYNE SANTOS - Writer/Director/Producer

Nicholas Payne Santos is a filmmaker based in NYC. He was born and raised on Cape Cod and is bi-racial (Black/white). Santos received his MFA in Creative Producing from Columbia University in 2019.

In 2024, Nicholas produced the horror feature BLEEDING, which won Best Midnight Feature at Dances With Films and Best Screenplay at Grimmfest. His short film STRANGE CREATURES played at over fifty film festivals and is now available on Arrow, Crypt TV and Screambox. In ‘21, Santos’ shorts MOTHER F**KER and HOLIDAY FEAR were also picked up by Arrow. In 20’ Nicholas’ feature directorial debut IT CUTS DEEP was released by Dark Sky Films. It made its World Premiere at Nightstream. The film’s currently on Tubi, previously on Showtime and Shudder. The feature UNCLE PECKERHEAD, produced by Santos, was released by Epic Pictures and is currently at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Santos has multiple films in development and post-production. In ‘22, Nicholas produced the thriller BURY ME WHEN I’M DEAD which was selected for the 2023 Cannes Marche du Film’s Frontieres Market - Buyer’s Showcase. In ‘21, the feature adaptation of STRANGE CREATURES was selected for Fantasia’s Frontieres Market. Santos’ screenplay YOU KILL ME was selected for Columbia’s Blue List in partnership with The Black List. And Nicholas produced the supernatural horror feature THE ARBORIST which is currently in post.