UNREST is perhaps the most viscerally disturbing of the films in the After Dark fest screening Friday-Saturday-Sunday this weekend. You can read our review of the film here.

It seems that the theatres where the festival is scheduled will play three different films each day, screening each title once or twice. At least in the Los Angeles area, UNREST will be on the first day, Friday.

Since these are all low-budget movies that might have faded into DTV obscurity, After Dark is quite a godsend, providing some valuable theatrical exposure. It's pretty much impossible that the festival will rake up profits in just three days, but it will help the films earn more when they go to video and pay-per-view.

I asked Jason Todd Ispon, who directed and co-wrote UNREST, about his reaction to the festival. Here is what he had to say:

HOLLYWOOD GOTHIQUE: I IMAGINE YOU'RE PRETTY EXCITED ABOUT YOUR FILM BEING IN THEATRES.

JASON TODD IPSON: Yes, I am very excited for it! It should be a blast. I'm having a great time on the message boards at www.horrorfestonline.com too. It is fun to have a place to hear and talk to fans.

H.G.: ARE YOU PERSONALLY INVOLVED IN PROMOTING THE FILM AND/OR THE FESTIVAL?

JTI: I've been trying to promote everywhere I can. I did some television news programs in Salt Lake City, UT as well as some radio spots. I've also done a ton of interviews with horror fan sites, and some newspapers. I love interviews because they are a great time to hear questions that I may not have anticipated. The press that they have done has been sparse, at least as it relates to me.

H.G.: WILL THIS LIMITED THEATRICAL EXPOSURE BOOST YOUR FORTUNES ON VIDEO?

JTI: This theatrical exposure will boost everyone in the film because people will know about it. In terms of my fortune - I'm not making a dime on this... So I don't expect a full coffer. But I would love to sell a lot of DVDs. I love the idea that in a few months someone will buy the DVD and have it on their shelf. That's what I hope to get out of this.

H.G.: HAVE YOU SEEN THE REST OF THE FEST'S "8 FILMS TO DIE FOR"?

JTI: I have not seen the other films, but I'm seeing them all. I am going to start at the 2:00 showing and go straight through. I cannot wait! I've started to meet the other directors too which is very fun.

H.G.: WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR CHANCES ARE OF BEING VOTED "AUDIENCE FAVORITE"? 

JTI:  Voted audience favorite? Who knows. I would be happy just being a film that people talk about. I know that there are a number of fans, and I appreciate those...

H.G.: AT THE SHRIEKFEST WRAP PARTY, YOU SAID YOU'RE DOING A COMEDY NEXT.

JTI:  Yeah - I'm heavily in post on EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE ITALIAN. We're doing the music now and sound...

H.G.: DOES THIS MEAN THAT "UNREST" IS A ONE-SHOT EFFORT FOR YOU IN THE HORROR GENRE?

JTI:  NO! I will do another horror film. I just am not a genre specific director. I probably will bounce back and forth. A new horror film every couple of years. I think my next up may be a horror film.