Film Name: Nightmare Invasion
Director: Jason Impey
Writer: Jason Impey
Starring: Victoria Dutton-Hughes, Kieran Johnston, Rachel Impey, Jason Impey
A surreal nightmare journey into the subconscious.
In a new exclusive interview on Blazing Minds, I got the chance to ask Writer-Director Jason Impey a few questions about his film Nightmare Invasion, which has been selected to play at The Horror-on-Sea Film Festival on Sunday, 25th January at 09:30hrs.
Q. Your film Nightmare Invasion has been selected to play at the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival. Can you tell us what we can expect?
A. Its a dark dreamy journey into guilt and depression. Think David Lynch meets Gaspar Noe
Q. What were your inspirations when writing the script?
A. I love arthouse and surreal cinema. Films such as Lost Highway (1997), Mulholland Drive (2001) and Enter the Void (2009) have had big impacts and influences on me.
Q. In addition to Directing you also appeared in the film as the Husband. How did you find the balance between directing and acting in the film?
A. When working with low budgets and tight time restraints its sometimes easier to place yourself with multiple roles, even acting! It takes away some pressure of having to try and find someone else for a small part that may not turn up etc – its happened before. It can be tiring and hard to wear a lot of hats but the adrenaline of making a film kicks in. I know what I want from myself in front of camera, even though I am very self critical.
Q. Did you have any of the cast in mind for the characters when you were writing the script?
A. Yes, I envisioned Victoria Dutton-Hughes as the character of Heather. I wrote the part for her having worked and collaborated with her over the years in similar roles. She’s a joy to work with.
Q. What were some of your influences for the look and style of the film?
A. I like the raw DIY approach Lars von Trier has to filmmaking, particularly the Dogme 95 movement. That definitely has shaped some of my filmmaking and approach to it.
Q. Did you make any changes from the original script during filming?
I actually followed the script and exactly what you read on the page is truly what you see on screen.
Q. What were some of your favourite moments during filming?
A. Doing the drone shots was quite exciting and I was really pleased with the results, was fun to be creative with that bit of kit.
Q. Did you experience any issues during filming?
A. The filming went quite smoothly. Hardest challenge was fitting a green screen into some very small spaces for some effects work and lighting in the pitch black of night while on location filming.
Q. What makes Nightmare Invasion stand out as something different in the horror genre?
A. Its a deep dive into the subconsciousness of a troubled and disturbed victim of guilt and shame. Some films do curve around that side of characters emotions sometimes and don’t show too much of the real headspace and what mental torment can do to someone.
Q. What do you hope people take away after watching the film?
A. A film that leaves them with something to talk about and discuss, and share their interpretation with fellow audience members.
Q. Do you have any other projects which you are currently working on?
A. I am currently in post production with an arthouse feature I have been working on throughout other filmmaking work. Filming was long and a lot of footage was captured. Cutting that down has been a challenge. I’m also in a few stages of some feature documentaries I have made and excitingly completed a feature documentary on a classic 80s horror film being released in April 2026 along with the 4K of said film.
Q. If someone was looking to write and direct their own film what advice would you give them?
A. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try different things out. Don’t limit yourself and be free to express yourself through film and just go and make what you can anyway possible.
You can find out more about Writer-Director Jason Impey on the Website – YouTube – Instagram – Facebook – X
Nightmare Invasion will play at The Horror-on-Sea Film Festival on Sunday 25th January at 09:30hrs.
You can find out more about Nightmare Invasion and purchase tickets for the film here
Published in various websites, Philip is a reviewer who is best known for his interviews and media coverage of independent projects including; films, books, theatre and live events. Always on the lookout for something different to cover!
