Holly S. Thompson is a Los Angeles-based director, producer, and writer known for her thought-provoking work in commercials and documentaries. With a strong emphasis on authenticity, Holly has collaborated with major brands like Intel and Adidas, as well as mission-driven organizations, to craft narratives that resonate deeply with audiences. In 2021, she founded Gleemo, a production company dedicated to creating impactful campaigns that unite activists, non-profits, entrepreneurs, and brands in the pursuit of inspiring culture and positive change. Holly is now focusing on producing and directing for Google's Gemini educational video series.
Holly began her career in journalism, studying at the University of Southern California. She went on to produce NPR’s show “Press Play” with Madeleine Brand. However, her enduring and stubborn passion for visual storytelling, sparked by her childhood love of movies, eventually led her to filmmaking. Her debut short film, “LAFMS—How Long Can You Go?” premiered at the Brooklyn Film Festival and delves into the world of a group of LA-based experimental musicians who have been pushing the boundaries of sound since the early 1970s, laying the groundwork for modern noise music and influencing popular artists globally.
Throughout her career, Holly has directed and produced viral short-form documentaries for Uproxx Media and has worked on thought-provoking projects like “The Sandy Hook Promise to Prevent Gun Violence” which garnered over 20 million views on social media.
Beyond filmmaking, Holly is the creative director for The Martha Project, a non-profit organization that provides plant-based meals and fosters human connection for the unhoused community in Los Angeles. Whether through her films or other creative endeavors, Holly remains deeply focused on exploring human consciousness.
Holly has what some might call a unique background. She grew up in the Unification Church—a controversial religious movement known for the mass marriage ceremony officiated by Reverend Sun Myung Moon at Madison Square Garden, which still holds the Guinness World Record for largest mass wedding in history. Although she no longer practices the religion, her upbringing sparked a deep interest in spirituality, consciousness, and human psychology, which continues to influence her work today.
Thank you!