‘The Nightmare’ is once again leaving audiences afraid to turn out the lights at night, as the documentary’s distribution rights have been acquired by Gravitas Ventures. The distribution company picked up the movie after it screened on Friday night during the Midnight section at the SXSW Film Festival. The acquisition comes after the documentary, which was produced by Campfire’s Ross M. Dinerstein and Zipper Brothers Films’ Glen Zipper, frightened audiences and earned acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival in January.

Gravitas Ventures is set to release ‘The Nightmare’ in Northh America in theaters and on VOD on June 5. The documentary, which was was directed by ‘Room 237’ helmer, Rodney Ascher, follows people who suffer from sleep paralysis, a condidtion which leaves them paralyzed as they hear voices and see presences in the room with them. Approximately 6.2 percent of the population suffers from sleep paralysis, during which malevolent beings grow increasingly aggresive the longer the condition occurs. Ascher, who reports having experienced sleep paralysis, offers insight into the harrowing experiences people experience as they contend with the condition.

Of the documentary’s acquisition, Ascher said: “I’m thrilled that we’ve found such a fearless partner to release the film into the world at large. Gravitas is dedicated to welcoming everyone to our Nightmare and I’m excited to be working with them.”

“‘The Nightmare’ is uniquely chilling, it ignites what is already lurking within our own brains and lets loose all the monsters we house within. We are thrilled to work with Rodney Ascher and his team and we expect this film to keep people awake at night for a long time,” said Mia Bruno, Director of Acquisitions of Gravitas Ventures.

Written by: Karen Benardello