George Bonilla, a passionate and dedicated individual, is a true force to be reckoned with in the world of independent filmmaking. With a heart and soul poured into every project he takes on, Bonilla is credited with playing a significant role in the growth of the independent film community in Lexington, Kentucky.
Born and raised in Hazard, Kentucky, Bonilla attended Eastern Kentucky University before embarking on a twenty-year journey that took him around the globe. Eventually, he settled in Richmond, Kentucky, where he made the bold decision to leave behind a successful television career to pursue his true passion: filmmaking.
Determined to gain creative control over his projects, Bonilla started from scratch, forming ZP Productions, which later evolved into ZP International. His first feature film, Zombie Planet (2004),was a groundbreaking achievement, produced and directed with an amateur crew in Lexington.
Despite the risks involved in taking on a project of such magnitude with a team of unknowns, Bonilla's hard work and dedication paid off, resulting in a high-quality product that was released worldwide in 2004. Many of Lexington's top filmmakers, including Stacey T. Gillespie, Jerry Williams, Billy W. Blackwell, Cherokee Hall, and Casey Miracle, owe their start to Bonilla, who trained and mentored them on the set of Zombie Planet.
In social settings, Bonilla is a charming and enthusiastic individual, always ready with a smile or a joke. However, on the set, he is a perfectionist, stopping at nothing to capture the perfect shot. With a clear vision of what he wants to achieve, Bonilla has an uncanny ability to extract the best from his crew and actors, making him a true leader in the world of independent filmmaking.
