Rodney Ascher is a filmmaker who has made a significant impact in the industry with his thought-provoking feature debuts, earning widespread acclaim and attention from esteemed film festivals around the world.
His first major project, the innovative "subjective documentary" ROOM 237, premiered at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival in 2012 and went on to be showcased at some of the most prominent film festivals globally, including the renowned Cannes Film Festival, the esteemed London Film Festival, the celebrated Vienna Film Festival, the acclaimed Sitges Film Festival, the influential Toronto International Film Festival, and the prestigious New York Film Festival.
This groundbreaking film explored the enigmatic world of Stanley Kubrick's cult classic The Shining, offering a unique perspective by presenting the thoughts and opinions of five individuals who are deeply fascinated by the numerous mysteries and theories surrounding the film.
Ascher's subsequent creative endeavour, the "horror-documentary" THE NIGHTMARE, delved into the fascinating and oft-misunderstood phenomenon of sleep paralysis, a topic that has garnered widespread recognition and captivated audiences worldwide. The film's highly anticipated premiere at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival generated significant buzz, with critics and viewers alike hailing it as "The Scariest Movie of the decade" and "One of the scariest documentaries ever" produced. Following its successful festival run, THE NIGHTMARE was subsequently released internationally in theaters and digitally, solidifying Ascher's reputation as a master of the horror-documentary genre and cementing his status as a leading figure in the world of filmmaking.
Notable beyond his feature film endeavors, Ascher has branched out into a diverse array of creative pursuits. In collaboration with the Shudder Network, he has embarked on a project aptly titled PRIMAL SCREEN. Meanwhile, he has also crafted a visually striking music video for the experimental hip-hop collective CLIPPING, featuring an abundance of GIFs, which has garnered a prestigious nomination for a Hugo Award. Moreover, Ascher has been involved in the development of a posthumous comedy album for the legendary comedian Andy Kaufman, titled ANDY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER. Additionally, his work has been featured in the infamous S FROM HELL project, a testament to his versatility and creative range.
