AFRAID? YOU SHOULD BE!
Online film award.

We are on the lookout for dark, thrilling, and horrific short films. We want something that will frighten our audience.

For more information go to www.afraid.filmpls.com

There will be a best of (First Place) as well as Second and Third place for the following categories*:
- Best Horror
- Best Fantasy
- Best Noir
- Best Thriller
- Best Dark Comedy
- Best Sci-fi
- Best Animated
- Best Documentary
- Best Experimental
- Best Male-Actor
- Best Female-Actor
- Best Director
- Best Cinematography
- Best Student Film
- Best Special Effects
- Best Editing
- Best Sound
- Best Music
- Best Screenplay
- Best Web or TV series **
- Best Trailer
- Best Poster

* Please note that if we do not receive enough acceptable submissions for each category, we will change them

** For the web or TV series category, please submit one episode that you think best represents your series. We don't need a premiere status for the web series category and can be available online.

The judges will decide on different awards that will be presented to filmmakers.
Films that made it to the official selection will be promoted on social media platforms.
All officially selected films will receive laurels, and be displayed on our website.

The Filmmaker is solely responsible for the content of the film and agrees that the film does not contain any content that may be construed as: libellous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic, sexually, racially or ethnically offensive, intimidating, threatening, hateful, discriminatory or abusive.

• Short films of any nationality and language can participate. Applications for participation in the competition programs of the Award are accepted from any legal entities or individuals who have reached the age of 16, without any restrictions with regard to citizenship and place of residence.
• All non-english films are welcome. Films in a language other than English must be subtitled in English for festival presentation.
• Short films produced during and after year 2018 will be admitted.
• Submitted short films have to be of fiction genre, containing fantastic, freak, sci-fi, dark, noir, thriller and/or horror elements.
• Short films cannot exceed 40 minutes (credits included).
• Films can be sent online through a hosting file service. In that case, the download link has to be sent to the email. It also can be uploaded in FilmFreeway, etc.
• For the official selected projects, the authors undertake to provide in a timely manner the necessary elements to the organizers for the preparation of the event. Failure to submit a screener copy seven (7) days prior to the festival will rule out eligibility for an official selection (disqualification).
• Each filmmaker may submit more than one work.
• Your film is allowed to be public on youtube or vimeo, and previous screenings and awards are no problem.

Full list of entry criteria and reglament also available at http://afraid.filmpls.com/reglament.html

Participation in the Festival, and its film submission process, implies acceptance, without reservation, to the terms of the present regulations. An entry form is valid without a signature and a seal.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Larry Collicott

    Afraid had very good programming and it was a pleasure to participate with some excellent horror makers. It was a great experience!

    February 2023
  • We're grateful for winning the Horror Short Film Award at the Afraid Film Festival. Thank you to the festival for providing a platform for emerging filmmakers to showcase their art and for supporting the genre of horror. This award is truly an honor. Looking forward for future editions!

    February 2023
  • Nate Carroll

    Thank you for awarding Coulrophobia Best Student Film!

    January 2023
  • Lauren Lorenzo

    We won the Bets Film Noir category, many thanks and may we wish you continued success in your festival. Thank you,

    January 2023
  • So proud to Win the BEST HORROR FILM award with my Shortfilm « THE WHISPERING CHIMERAS » in your festival. THANK YOU SO MUCH ! WHAT A GREAT HONOR. My cast, my crew and myself of course are blessed

    January 2023