Access:Horror

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
-Films must be related to genre (horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and the fantastic) and incorporate disability in front of or behind the camera, but can be experimental, animation, music video, documentary, narrative, hybrid. We value work that fits our mission, whatever form it takes.
-Films that are advertisements commissioned by a commercial company or a promotional video for an organization (PSAs) are not eligible for submission.
-Non-English language works must include English subtitles or English captions.

-By submitting to Access:Horror, filmmakers are confirming that they own or have obtained all appropriate clearances for the screening rights of their films, and are granting permission to show their film at the festival and to portions of their film as promotional assets leading up to the festival.

LENGTH GUIDELINES
Feature: over 40 minutes

Short: 40 minutes or less

WAIVERS

Alumni: If you’ve screened with Access:Horror before, you’re family—email info@accesshorror.com with your last AHFF title for an alumni waiver/discount.

Financial hardship: Write us. We try to help—usually with a discount rather than a full waiver.

Sanctions/conflict regions: We consider case-by-case waivers for filmmakers facing significant barriers. Reach out.

SCREENERS

Vimeo links preferred (password-protected).
 YouTube private links are fine.
 FilmFreeway’s player is acceptable, though Vimeo is more reliable for quality and playback.

PREMIERES & PARTNERSHIPS

We consider all submissions on merit. We love discovering new work, but don’t want a lack of premiere status to stop your work from reaching our audience. Additionally, we recognize that your premiere status with other festivals may prevent you or your film from participating in all events and/or future streaming opportunities with SHUDDER, Bloodstream, and others. If selected, we will work with you to make sure your work is shown only when and where you want it.

A NOTE ABOUT SCREENING FEES & ASSETS

Each film accepted as an Access:Horror official selection that complies with the eligibility requirements (quality open captions and/or quality audio description - our definitions of these are provided below. Full requirements listed under TECHNICAL SPECS) will receive screening fees of $75/short and $150/feature (USD). Any other assets that contribute to screenings’ accessibility are highly encouraged. If you need support in creating these assets before submission, please see our website or contact us for helpful resources.

*Captions: On-screen timed text that includes spoken dialogue and descriptions of non-visual cues, such as music, off-screen speakers, and sound descriptions.
*Open Captions (OC): Video that has the captions showing during the screening for anyone watching. Text is permanently visible, therefore viewers do not need to switch on or use additional devices to access them.
*Film Audio Description (AD): An additional audio track with narration of a film’s key visual elements by inserting visual descriptions into pauses in the film’s dialogue. An individual who is Blind or Low Vision listens to the AD tracks in-person via personal Assistive Listening Devices, or virtually as a secondary audio track or alternative film version.
*For additional terms and information, please visit FEAW.org.

PREPARING FOR DELIVERY
We have tight schedules for our accessibility asset providers, so to help you prepare and save time, we’ve provided necessary tech specs below. Please make note of additional requirements for captions and audio description - they are different depending on whether you are providing them or we are. We are committed to only showing work with Open Captions, and to providing Audio Description options where we can, both online and in theatrical settings. We do this at significant cost, but expect you to budget appropriately for these in your future work after coordinating with us and learning more about what this takes. Filmmaker education is an important component of our values as a festival.

TECHNICAL SPECS (Exhibition, Delivery, Captions, Audio Description)

Format for Exhibition: DCP - please share if you have it - if not, one will be created for you.
Format for Delivery: ProRes 422 HQ or DNxHR HQ from source files
Resolution: 1080p or 4K
Audio: Mono, Stereo, or 5.1
Frame rate: 24, 25, or 30 fps
*.mov or .mxf wrapper
*No color bars or 2-pop
Aspect ratio: Any ratio supported; we’ll letterbox/pillarbox as needed.
*all credits and logos must be contained within the aspect ratio of the film, i.e. if your film is in 1.33:1 or 2.39:1 your credits and logos must be contained in these aspect ratios as well*

Captions:
+If you are submitting your own captions:
-Timed text file: .srt file
-Transparent graphic caption file (for films with embedded captions): Quicktime .mov. Setting: Apple ProRes with Alpha. Same frame rate and resolution as film export.
+If we are creating captions for you:
-Film transcript (if transcript isn’t available - a list of names and terms mentioned in the film).

Audio Description (AD):
+ If you are submitting your own AD:
-AD narration only: .wav or .aiff, please at 48 kHz mono (for in-person screening with personal listening devices)
-AD + main audio mix: .wav or .aiff at 48 kHz stereo (for virtual use, alternative audio track)
-Full film video + open AD + main audio mix: conforming to codec specs above (for virtual use, alternative film version)
+If we are creating AD for you:
-Uncompressed audio stems: .wav files (music track, dialogue track, FX track all separate).
*If stems unavailable, please send uncompressed stereo mix as a .wav audio file at 48 kHz of the mixed film.*
-Stereo ONLY for both stems and mixes (no 5.1)

Stills: High-quality stills for promotion—film frames preferred over on set photos.
Deadlines: Detailed delivery instructions arrive with acceptance materials on June 1st, delivery of files and filmmaker agreements due June 15th.


MATERIAL SECURITY

Your submission stays between you and us. Only the programming team accesses your screener and info. We don’t share links or contact details with sponsors/donors/third parties without consent. Our online platform uses DRM software to protect your work.

SCHEDULE CHANGES & UPDATES
If a schedule or venue change becomes necessary, we’ll notify you promptly and update public listings. Tech hiccups are rare—but if they happen, we’ll communicate and resolve as quickly as possible.