Jason Eisener

• Name — Jason Eisener • Born — 1982 • Birthplace — Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada • Occupation — Film director, producer, screenwriter, editor • Years Active — 2007–present

Eisener was born in Halifax and raised in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. He developed an early interest in genre cinema, particularly horror and exploitation films, which influenced his later work. Eisener studied film at the Nova Scotia Community College, where he honed his skills in filmmaking and storytelling.

Eisener first gained attention in 2007 when he won the Grindhouse fake trailer contest, a promotion by Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino, with his entry Hobo with a Shotgun. The short became a viral hit and was later expanded into a feature film. In 2008, he directed Treevenge, a dark comedy about Christmas trees taking revenge on humans. The short won awards at the Sundance Film Festival and other festivals. He went on to contribute anthology segments to The ABCs of Death (2012) and V/H/S/2 (2013). Eisener also created the viral horror short One Last Dive (2013), set entirely underwater.

Eisener is the co-creator, executive producer, and director of Dark Side of the Ring, which became Vice TV’s flagship series. Now six seasons in, the critically acclaimed documentary has won a Canadian Screen Award and inspired spin-offs including Dark Side of the ’90s, Dark Side of Comedy, and Dark Side of the Cage. He also co-created Tales from the Territories (2022), executive produced by Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia. In 2024, he co-created Who Killed WCW?, which premiered as the biggest series launch in Vice TV history. Most recently, Eisener co-created the Hulu docuseries Into the Void, a multi-part exploration of heavy metal musicians and their cultural impact.

Eisener’s work often blends gore, satire, and nostalgia, drawing heavily on grindhouse, exploitation, and cult cinema. His films are noted for bold visual style, practical effects, and darkly comedic tone.

• Year — Title — Director — Executive Producer — Creator — Ref. • 2019–present — Dark Side of the Ring • 2022 — Tales from the Territories • 2024 — Who Killed WCW? • 2025 — Into the Void

Jason Eisener splits his time between Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, and Los Angeles, California.

In 2011, Eisener directed the feature-length version of Hobo with a Shotgun, starring Rutger Hauer. His second feature, the sci-fi horror adventure Kids vs. Aliens (2022), premiered at Fantastic Fest before a wider release.

Short film • Year — Title — Notes — Ref. • 2008 — Treevenge — Also writer • 2012 — Y is for Youngbuck — Segment of The ABCs of Death • 2013 — Slumber Party Alien Abduction — Segment of V/H/S/2 • One Last Dive Feature film • Year — Title — Director — Writer — Ref. • 2011 — Hobo with a Shotgun • 2022 — Kids vs. Aliens Second Unit Director • Death Note (2017)