Dusty Austen, a trailblazing transgender woman, has been a driving force in the independent film industry for over two decades. Her fascination with filmmaking and horror, a genre that has captivated her since the tender age of three, has led her on a remarkable journey.
As a precocious 12-year-old, Austen began crafting her own films, and by 18, she had already made a name for herself in the industry, showcasing her work at film festivals. Her consistent career in the independent world saw her work with various companies across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and eventually, Ireland, England, and Canada.
Austen's reputation in the found footage community was cemented after creating a series of features and projects, and she went on to found the GG13 Collective, the creative team behind the award-winning web series GG13: The Haunted World of CW. In this capacity, she served as show-runner, director, and editor from 2013 to 2019.
In addition to her work on GG13, Austen co-hosted the Found Footage Files Podcast and served as Executive Editor for the distribution company POV Horror during its formative years.
Austen and her wife, Athena Murzda, shared a vision to create a low-budget, high-concept independent film company that celebrated diversity and creative freedom. This led them to establish Street Rat Studios, under which they produced their first feature film, "The Beast of Walton St."
Today, Austen resides in Ohio with her wife, two daughters, and their loving menagerie of pets.
