With feedback sent on every single entry, 13Horror.com is back with THE go-to contest for horror screenwriters and film-makers!

The categories for the contest are:
1) Feature-length screenplays
2) Short screenplays
3) Feature-length movies
4) Short movies

The contest includes feedback on every single entry from one of our Hollywood judges explaining how screenplays or films did against the judging criteria. This is an extremely popular feature of our contest and is on of the reasons why our contest is recognized by screenwriters and film-makers as one of the best contests in horror.

Our Hollywood judges include Andrew Hannon, editor of the international best-selling 'Thirteen' horror anthologies and writer of several critically acclaimed screenplays, films and stage plays, including Stage Fright, Creepy Hill and CarnEvil.

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.

FEATURE-LENGTH FILM
Laurels will be awarded for: Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor & Best Actress, Best Horror Baddy and Best Special Effects

SHORT FILM
Laurels will be awarded for: Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor & Actress, Scariest Moment, Best Horror Baddy and Best Special Effects

Selected films will also be offered distribution via 13Horror.com's Amazon Prime distribution channel.

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 May 5, 2024. Screenplays and movies selected as finalists and winners will be announced on May 14th 2024.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Angie Baggett

    Excellent feedback! Great communication. Thank you!

    March 2024
  • Toni Martocchio

    Awesome festival. I'm honored that "Deadly Shadows" was a Feature Screenplay Finalist for 2024. Thank you.

    February 2024
  • Iman Davari

    Great feedback.👍
    Networking is so good.
    One of the best festivals.

    February 2024
  • Courtney Kettle

    Fantastic festival. Will definitely enter again.

    January 2024
  • Elias Truitt

    What a great experience! I received some incredibly valuable feedback on my script "Next Stop" and was honored to be chosen as a winner. Great communication and welcoming energy. Highly recommend this contest to any new or experienced writers!

    January 2024