Horror-thriller [pictured] to be released this October.

Artsploitation Films has acquired US rights to Jason Banker’s Toad Road.

The horror-thriller, which won best director and best actor awards at last year’s Fantasia International Film Festival, will be released theatrically this October before a DVD and VOD release.

Traction Media negotiated the deal on behalf of the filmmakers with Jennifer Arndt-Johns for Artsploitation Films.

“There is a nihilism and decay present within the characters of Toad Road that makes the film mesmerising,” commented Brian Sokel, vice president of Artsploitation Films. “It’s a unique film that must be seen.”

Toad Road depicts real drug use among a group of real life friends. Tragically, lead actress Sara Anne Jones died of an accidental overdose on Sept 4, 2012 shortly after the film’s world premiere.

The film was produced by Banker’s Blackout Films in collaboration with Liz Levine and Adrian Salpeter of Random Bench. It was executive produced by SpectreVision, a horror film company started by Daniel Noah, Josh C. Waller and Elijah Wood.