Romain Thomassin is a French director and producer based in San Francisco. At GonzoFest 2025, he will present Fear & Loathing in San Francisco, a 15-minute documentary exploring Hunter S. Thompson’s early years in the Bay Area. The film delves into Thompson’s time covering Berkeley’s “Non-Student Left,” the Hells Angels, and the rise of “Hashburry’s Hippies,” chronicling his formative experiences as a young journalist and writer.

Previously aired exclusively on ARTE, France’s public cultural TV channel, as part of the show Destination (Invitation to the Voyage), the documentary will have its U.S. premiere at GonzoFest.

Before moving to San Francisco, Romain was based in Brooklyn, where he worked at VICE Media and Condé Nast, refining his documentary style and storytelling approach alongside artists, actors, designers, and musicians. His work often explores themes related to Hunter S. Thompson. His previous film, We Ride, juxtaposes stories of contemporary women motorcyclists with Thompson’s writings on 1960s biker gangs. It premiered at Hot Docs in 2023.