"Scared for Your LIIFE" is a return from the grave branch of the Long Island International Film Expo (LIIFE) specializing in the macabre world of short Horror films. "Scared for Your LIIFE" is a collaborative effort between The Long Island Film / Television Foundation (LIIFE) and The Hauntsville Cryptcast horror podcast.

We're back for 7 years of bad luck! The stakes are higher, and the submissions scarier!
Don't miss out on all the terror at this year's festival held at The Huntington Cinema Arts Centre!

Festival features frightening films
Filmmaker Q&A
Filmmaking panels
Live entertainment
Monster photo ops
Sponsors to die for
Costume contest
Uniquely sculpted trophies designed by @annaspookshorror and @Vlabls_3d_hub

If you are an alumni filmmaker of The Long Island International Film Expo with a short horror film which has screened in previous years, you will be eligible for a discount on your submission fee into "Scared for Your LIIFE".
Contact longislandfilmexpo@gmail.com with the name of your film and the year it was screened for the discount code.

If your film is accepted into "Scared for Your LIIFE" you will be automatically entered for the chance to win the following categories:

Best Horror Short - "Scare of a Liifetime"
Best Long Island Horror Short (filmed on long island only) - "Hometown Hero"
Best Story - "Scream Writing"
Best Director - "Final Cut"
First Time Filmmaker - "Fresh Blood"
Best Creature Design - "Creature Feature"
Best Actor / Actress - "Scream queen" / "king of ghouls"
"Best on screen death"
Skeleton Crew (cast and crew less than 10 / small budget) - "The Blue Skeleton Award"

And introducing our brand new Dark Comedy Award: "The Chrysippus Award" Named for the philosopher who laughed himself to death!

2022 Winners:
Scare of a Liifetime - Maschera Della Morte
Hometown Hero - Upon Arrival
Scream Writing - Call of Water
The Final Cut - Limbo
Fresh Blood - Seven
Creature Feature - The Order
Scream Queen - Domestic Bliss
King of Ghouls - IVI ELV
Best On Screen Death - Ave Maria
Blue Skeleton- Dead Language
Chryssipus - Hollywood Post 43's Last Stand

2022 Sponsor to Die For:
Paramount Pictures "Smile"
Deathwish Coffee
Delirium Magazine
Mixtape Massacre
Horror TV
Deadbolt Mystery Society

2022 Curiosity Vendors:
Strange Love Parlor
Mass Grave Pictures
Caviar With Crows
Hook and Wickery
House of Babes NYC

2022 Live entertainment and Ghost Host with the Most:
Jess-O-Lantern

2022 Monster Meet and Greet:
Ol' Death

2022 Costume Contest Winner:
Flashpoint Batman

2021 Winners:

Scare of a Liifetime - When They Come
Hometown Hero - Even The Darkness Has Arms
Scream Writing - Are You Lonesome Tonight
The Final Cut - Matched
Fresh Blood - Surprise
Creature Feature - Wich
Scream Queen - Lauren A. Kennedy (Are You Lonesome Tonight)
King of Ghouls - Erik Rodenhiser (Final Girl)
Best On Screen Death - Lake Parasite
Blue Skeleton- Keep It In The Dark

2021 Sponsor to Die For:
The Haunt Society

2021 Live entertainment and Ghost Host with the Most:
Jess-O-Lantern

2021 Monster Meet and Greet:
The Blue Skeleton

2021 Costume Contest Winner:
Zombie Willy Wonka

2020 Winners:

Scare of a Liifetime - The Desecrated
Hometown Hero - Eve
Scream writing - The Curse
The Final Cut - The Desecrated
Fresh Blood - Cut to the Chase
Creature Feature - Perfect
Scream Queen - Mirlande Amazan (Wolves)
King of ghouls - Anthony Del Negro (Chateau Sauvignon: Terroir)
Best On Screen Death - Chateau Sauvignon: Terroir
Blue Skeleton - Wolves
Special Hunter Category - Malakout

2020 Sponsor to Die For:
BingeWave

2020 Live-stream entertainment
Rebel Flesh

2020 Monster Meet and Greet
The Horror Hosts

2019 winners:

Scare of a Liifetime - Fresh
Hometown Hero - Zoul
Scream Writing - Hui Ying
The Final Cut - Stalag III C
Fresh Blood - Two Percent
Creature Feature - Matryoshka
Scream Queen - Joy Shatz (Karen)
King of Ghouls - Kent Coleman (Zoul)
Best On Screen Death - The Son, The Father
Blue Skeleton - Ghost Radio

2019 Sponsor to Die For:
Deathwish Coffee

2019 Live Entertainment:
The Spooky Boys

2019 Monster Meet and Greet:
Krampus

Once a film is submitted and accepted to "Scared for Your LIIFE," "Scared for Your LIIFE" reserves the right to present the film in any format it deems necessary during the Festival. Back-up DVDs and BluRays will not be returned. While all entries are treated with care, the Long Island International Film Expo, Long Island Film, TV Foundation, authorized venues, The Nassau County Film Commission, The Nassau County Department of Recreation and Parks, the County of Nassau, and the Nassau County Planning Commission, The Hauntsville Cryptcast, The Long Island Puppet Theater, Sophisticated Lions entertainment and their agents and volunteers are not responsible for loss or damage to prints or tapes. Films are scheduled at the discretion of the "Scared for Your LIIFE" festival committee. All fees are nonrefundable. The filmmaker and/or the writer has obtained all necessary rights clearances for the above-mentioned film and/or script, and for any and all elements of the film / script submitted and releases the County of Nassau, Nassau County Film Commission, The Nassau County Department of Recreation and Parks, The Nassau County Planning Commission, The County of Nassau, The Long Island Film/TV Foundation, The Hauntsville Cryptcast, The Long Island Puppet Theater, Sophisticated Lions Entertainment and any participating venues and agents and volunteers from any responsibility in conjunction therewith. "Scared for Your LIIFE" is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations.

A film may not be withdrawn by the filmmaker once it is formally accepted and scheduled.

If a film is not sent in the proper format, "Scared for Your LIIFE" and its agents reserve the right to download the film from FilmFreeway or another source and use that version for screening.

If films and/or surveys are not received by the date required, and in the format specified, "Scared for Your LIIFE" has the right to remove your film from the festival line-up.

Your film must not be distributed, streaming or otherwise, or available (other than festival screenings) to the public prior to screening at "Scared for Your LIIFE" or it may be removed from the festival line-up. It does not have to be a festival premier.

The Long Island Film/TV Foundation, "Scared for Your LIIFE" committee, and its agents have the right to reject any films or withdraw any acceptance letter issued to any film, at any time prior to the commencement of that year’s festival, in the foundation's absolute discretion.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • I'm incredibly grateful for the experience I had at Scared for Your LIIFE. Not only did it bring together local horror fans like myself, but it also exceeded all of my expectations in every way.

    The event organizers displayed excellent communication and hospitality throughout, making me feel truly welcome from the moment my short film was accepted. The live entertainment and vendors on-site added an extra layer of excitement to the fest. What truly stood out was the exceptional collection of horror short films, shown inside a fantastic venue.

    I can't thank the team behind this event enough for creating a memorable experience.

    October 2023
  • Scott Bekisz

    What a great film festival! Scared for your Liife film fest really caters to the horror filmmaker. The programming was top-notch and Jess-O-Lantern rocked some songs during the breaks so it was all around a super fun event. With horror filmmakers and horror fans in attendance it was blast. I was lucky enough that my film, Maschera della Morte played here and extremely honored to win the coveted, ‘Scare of a Liifetime’ award! All around, a really special film festival. I would highly recommend it. Special thanks to Jonathan and Anna for putting together an amazing festival.

    November 2022
  • A great festival in a wonderful location. Great staff very professional and helpful. It was a great pleasure and honor to be a part of it.
    Thank you very much for everything

    November 2022
  • Jonathan was great and excellent communication, really wished to have been there in person this year. Great selections and thrilled to have gotten a win for creature feature!

    November 2022
  • Although I couldn't make it, I was so grateful for these fantastic people and horror fans to include my short "Cameo" alongside so many stellar horror films.

    November 2022