DIRECTOR STATEMENT
In 2019, an article in my hometown paper about the deadliest prison riot in the last three decades caught my eye. The harrowing, minute-by-minute account of how seven men tragically lost their lives during a night of chaos resonated deep with me. Yet, it was the underlying systemic failures - understaffing, overcrowding, and a shocking neglect for safety, exemplified by easily tampered cell doors - that truly struck a chord. This terrifying thought was the genesis of "Catacombs."
I hope this film not only resonates deeply but also leaves a haunting impression on its audience, vividly bringing to light the profound themes of lost fatherhood and the harrowing realities of the prison system in the United States—shedding light on the shared horrors faced by both prisoners and those employed within these institutions.

DIRECTOT BIO
Chad Cunningham has directed more than 400 episodes of national television for Max, A&E, Discovery +, Investigation Discovery, TVONE, Oxygen, CuriosityStream and the Travel Channel. His films have screened at film festivals worldwide and his work has been featured on CMT, Director’s Notes, BooooooomTV, Omeleto, and Film Shortage.

In 2023, Chad’s work was nominated for a Critics Choice Real TV Award.