Acclaimed Film From Horror Writer-Director Izzy Lee To Screen At Prestigious Genre Festival Taking Place At The Glasgow Film Theatre from 6-8 March
Insurgence (www.insurgence.co), the pioneering leader in showcasing indie films on You Tube, has scored its latest honor as House of Ashes from noted horror writer-director and author/journalist Izzy Lee has been selected for the Glascoe FrightFest Film Festival taking place March 6-8 at the Glascow Film Theater.
“We are so thrilled for Izzy Lee for her to receive such significant recognition from one of the world’s premiere film festivals for her first feature film, House of Ashes,” said Niccolo Messina, CEO of Insurgence.
“Directing House of Ashes has been an extraordinary journey, one that was made possible by Niccolo and his indie studio Insurgence. Bringing any film to life is not an easy task, but Niccolo’s faith and support helped to make House of Ashes an exciting experience and a memorable directorial debut,” said Ms. Lee.
Entering its 20th year, the Glascow Fright Fest Festival is internationally renowned for discovering exciting and original horror and fantasy genre films, and for supporting the talent behind them. Throughout its years in operation, the Festival has evolved into a global brand for horror films, and has helped launch the careers of such celebrated directors as Simon Rumley, Christopher Smith, Eli Roth, Neil Marshall and Issa Lopez whose early careers received a boost from their films being showcased. FrightFest, dubbed “the Woodstock of Gore” by director Guillermo Del Toro, was set up in 2000 and held its first Glasgow edition in 2006
Starring Fayna Sanchez (Creepshow, Tenants) as Mia and Vincent Stalba (Lessons in Chemistry, I Saw the Light) as Marc, House of Ashes was inspired by far-right U.S. politicians waging war on the female body. This background sets the tone for the film, as Mia is put on house arrest for the crime of miscarriage – while having to also contend with the lingering, suspicious death of her husband Adam. In the meantime, Mia experiences strange phenomena that could be human or supernatural — or both. One thing is quite clear, however — Mia is in mortal danger, but she cannot leave home.
The supporting cast includes Lee Boxleitner, Mason Conrad, and Laura Dromerick, with cameos from genre filmmakers Joe Lynch and Mick Garris.
Among the latest Insurgence Originals, House of Ashes is produced by Izzy Lee and Steve Johanson of Nihil Noctem Films and lensed by Director of Photography Sophia Cacciola (The Once and Future Smash). Mario Niccolo Messina and Valentina Cau executive produced. C. Robert Cargill (The Black Phone, Sinister), Jessica Cargill, Megan Duffy (Maniac), Kevin Sluder, and Jennifer Sluder co-produced. Nicholas Peterson and Michael Lenzini are Associate Producers. The film was edited by Anna Rottke (The Conjuring: Last Rites) and composed by Antoine Lamothe of the industrial Montreal band Deadly Apples (their upcoming album features Filter frontman Richard Patrick and former Nine Inch Nails member Danny Lohner).
House of Ashes Synopsis:
Still reeling from a miscarriage, Mia grieves her husband Adam, found dead at the veterinary clinic they owned. She’s been acquitted of Adam’s death but is under public scrutiny and must serve a house arrest sentence due to living in a state where miscarriage carries heavy punishment. Enter Marc, an old friend who loves and protects Mia. Not long after he moves in, the new couple endures challenges: things go missing and they’re attacked by an unseen foe. Mia is sure that the culprit is a supernatural entity, but Marc’s convinced that humans are the problem. A security expert by trade, he installs a home surveillance system to help keep them safe — but soon finds out that this is an issue he can’t fix. Under all these pressures, Mia must call on her buried strength to move on with her life — or risk death herself.
About Filmmaker Izzy Lee:
Filmmaker/author Izzy Lee has traveled the festival circuit for more than a decade with her shorts, playing top genre festivals such as Fantasia, FrightFest, Fantaspoa, Overlook, and more. Universally regarded by horror fans for her short films Re-Home (2019), The Obliteration of the Chickens (2019), My Monster (2018), and Meat Friend (2022), which she produced through her company Nihil Noctem Films, Lee established her genre credentials by writing for multiple outlets including Fangoria, Rue Morgue, ScreenAnarchy and Birth. Movies, Death. Lee’s first novella, the possession story I Can See Your Lies, was published in 2024. She has also helped program and curate film festivals such as Boston Underground and the Boston Sci-Fi Fest.
About Insurgence:
Founded in 2019 by global technology executive Niccolo Messina, Insurgence is breaking new ground in the production and distribution of independent films and documentary content. Since its inception, the independent entertainment studio has premiered over 100 original movies and 60 documentaries on its own YouTube channel, amassing more than 6 billion streams worldwide. Insurgence has also licensed select titles from its vast library to major digital streaming platforms worldwide, further demonstrating the company’s successful production and distribution formula aimed at empowering emerging filmmakers and reshaping the traditional movie distribution landscape. Visit www.insurgence.co.
