Meet Simone Thomas-Rowe | Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Simone Thomas-Rowe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Simone, why did you pursue a creative career?
The one question I’ve been asked repeatedly over the years is “what do you want to be when you grow up?” First, it was a teacher, then a detective, an actress, a journalist, and now a film director. For most of my life, I enjoyed being in the spotlight. I loved public speaking, acting, and doing anything that allowed me to put myself out there and meet new people. As little kids we are told we can do anything imaginable.  I believe my destiny was always directing, even if I didn’t always realize it. Being a director isn’t just about managing the creative aspects of a film— it still allows me to be a teacher, investigate and be curious, and explore my passion for acting and writing. I guess you can say directing is everything I’ve ever imagined and more!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art lives in the quiet spaces—the undercurrents of thought, obsession, identity, and care. I’m drawn to psychological thrillers not just for the suspense, but for the intimacy they allow with a character’s inner world. Whether it’s my newest films Mothering Mirrors, which explores fake abortion clinics and deceptive care and safety, or Infatuated, which follows the emotional unraveling of a black woman trying to fit into white beauty standards, my work often circles around femininity, emotional isolation, and the deep roots of mental health.

What sets me apart is the care I bring to each story I direct. I believe psychological horror/drama isn’t about spectacle—it’s about emotional truth. I don’t just want the audience to be shocked; I want them to feel understood in the moments they’ve been too afraid to speak aloud. That requires handling every frame, every performance, every silence with intention and compassion. I look up to directors like Jordan Peele, Shonda Rhimes, Ava Duvernay, and Ryan Coogler for this exact reason.

Getting to this point hasn’t been easy. As a Black Woman filmmaker and storyteller, I grew up with a profound understanding of how invisible and misrepresented so many of us are on screen. That invisibility challenged me but also motivated me to create work that affirms, questions, and reflects people who rarely get to see themselves complexly portrayed.

There have been moments of doubt—wondering if my stories were too weird, too “out there”, too specific… But I’ve learned that specificity is power. That vulnerability is cinematic. And that care is a radical storytelling tool. As I enter my senior year at Loyola Marymount University, I have grown very grateful for the amount of growth I’ve gone through in such a short amount of time as a director— and I still have so much more to learn!

What I want the world to know about my brand is that it’s rooted in empathy and exploration. I make films for the people who overthink, who feel too much, who question what’s real, and who see beauty in broken things. My goal isn’t just to entertain—it’s to create experiences that linger, haunt, and heal.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Moving to Los Angeles for school has been one of the greatest blessings in my life. I’m forever grateful for the chance to explore such a vibrant and multifaceted city. While I’m not much of a nightlife person, I’m definitely a foodie and love a good daytime adventure. One of my favorite spots is Playa Vista—there’s nothing better than grabbing a bite at Dan’s Modern Chinese and catching a movie at the Cinemark (pro tip: tickets are only $7 on Tuesdays!). I also love spending weekends browsing the Black Market Flea or the Silver Lake Flea Market, discovering unique vendors and soaking up the creative energy.

There’s always something new to explore in LA—the city really is your oyster!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to my parents—two extraordinary Black gay women who shaped every part of who I am. I carry both of their names (Thomas-Rowe) proudly, as a reflection of the love, creativity, and strength they poured into me.

As an only child, my imagination was my playground, and my mothers nurtured that spark every step of the way. They took turns reading to me each night, fully embodying the characters and encouraging me to create my own stories. It’s no surprise that storytelling runs in our family.

My mom, Monica Rowe, serves as the Chief Marketing Officer at CARE, a global nonprofit, while my other mom—RoseAnn Thomas, or “Honey,” as I call her—is a freelance painter, sculptor, and photographer. Though they tell stories through different mediums, both instilled in me a deep reverence for creativity and the power of narrative.

Thank you to my mommies for being storytellers—and for teaching me how to find my own voice.

Website: https://thatblackdirector.my.canva.site

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatblackdirector/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonethomasrowe

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SimoneThomasRowe

Other: TikTok: @ThatBlackDirector

Image Credits
Taliah Taylor

Devin Saddler