With feedback sent on every single entry, 13Horror.com returns for its tenth year as one of the leading contests for horror screenwriters and filmmakers.

The categories for the contest are:

- Feature-length screenplays
- Short screenplays
- Feature-length films
- Short films

Every entry receives detailed feedback from one of our Hollywood judges, explaining how the screenplay or film performs against our judging criteria. This has become one of the most valued aspects of the contest and a key reason it continues to attract writers and filmmakers from around the world.

Our judges include Andrew Hannon, editor of the international best-selling Thirteen horror anthologies and writer of screenplays, films, novels and stage plays including Stage Fright, Creepy Hill, CarnEvil and the Dwell In These Demons series.

Awards & Prizes

FEATURE-LENGTH SCREENPLAY CONTEST
One grand prize winner will receive:
- $1,000.00
- Professional publication of their screenplay, including a professional cover design and royalties for life
- The coveted 13Horror.com Golden Skull award
- A letter of introduction from 13Horror.com
- A framed winner’s certificate
- A horror movie model
- A place in the 13Horror.com Hall of Fame

Second and third place winners will receive:
- $500.00 and $350.00
- Professional publication of their screenplay, including a professional cover design and royalties for life
- The coveted 13Horror.com Silver Skull award
- A letter of introduction from 13Horror.com
- A framed winner's certificate
- A horror movie model
- A place in the 13Horror.com Hall of Fame

10 x additional winners will receive:
- Professional publication of their screenplay, including a professional cover design and royalties for life
- A winner’s certificate including their laurels
- A place in the 13Horror.com Hall of Fame

SHORT SCREENPLAY CONTEST
One grand prize winner will receive:
- $500.00
- Professional publication of their screenplay, including a professional cover design and royalties for life
- A letter of introduction from 13Horror.com
- A framed winner’s certificate
- A place in the 13Horror.com Hall of Fame

Second place and third place winners will receive:
- $300.00 and $200.00
- Professional publication of their screenplay, including a professional cover design and royalties for life
- A letter of introduction from 13Horror.com
- A framed winner's certificate
- A place in the 13Horror.com Hall of Fame

10 additional winners will receive:
- Professional publication of their screenplay, including a professional cover design and royalties for life
- A winner's certificate
- A place in the 13Horror.com Hall of Fame

In addition to the above winners in both screenplay categories, entrants who score highly enough to qualify as Finalists will be eligible for exclusive discounted publishing packages and awarded Finalist laurels.

FILM CATEGORIES (FEATURE & SHORT)

Laurels will be awarded across key categories including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor & Actress, Best Horror Baddy and Best Special Effects.

Selected winners and finalists will be presented to Black Mandala, an international sales and production company working with distributors, festivals and buyers worldwide. This creates a potential route beyond the festival circuit, with opportunities that may include international sales, festival strategy and inclusion in anthology productions.

Selected films may also be released under the “13Horror.com Presents” banner, a curated label for standout work from the competition.

Rules & Terms

Winning screenplays and films will be chosen based on the following criteria:

(i) originality
(ii) story
(iii) characterization
(iv) presentation
(v) overall impression

Feedback will be sent on every single entry to each writer and filmmaker regarding their respective work as soon as a judge has completed their review. The deadline for entries is June 14, 2026. Screenplays and movies selected as finalists and winners will be announced on June 29, 2026.
356 Reviews
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Networking
  • Nancy Kimmel

    Thank you 13Horror.com Film & Screenplay Contest. Your name says it all. My best to all your distinguished judges and brilliant organizers. Thank you for a wonderful opportunity and an amazing festival.
    Best to all,
    N. Kimmel
    Kimmel Scream Productions
    kimmelscreenproductions@gmail.com

    April 2026
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  • Mike A Morgan

    I had a very positive experience with 13Horror.com through FilmFreeway. My screenplay was selected as a finalist, which was already encouraging, but what stood out most was the level of communication and feedback.

    Their turnaround time on responses was impressively quick, and the critique I received was thoughtful, specific, and genuinely useful. Rather than generic notes, they provided actionable suggestions that helped me see ways to strengthen both the structure and impact of my script.

    Overall, a professional and worthwhile experience that I’d recommend to other screenwriters—especially those working in the horror genre.

    April 2026
    Helpful
  • Swapnil Sagare

    One of the best contest!

    April 2026
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  • Jowanda Durham

    As a finalist, the festival published my screenplay in both eBook and paperback formats. The experience has opened my eyes to new ways of promoting and refining my work.

    March 2026
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  • James Burchett

    Loved my experience with 13Horror.com. The feedback on my screenplay was very helpful. Being a Finalist opened my world up to getting my screenplay for sale on Amazon, which as a new writer, is a neat experience. I have already entered for the next contest from them.

    March 2026
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