Akron Independent Horror Short Film Festival

By submitting your film, you agree that:
1. Akron Independent Horror Short Film Festival can use parts of your film (including trailer/teaser/film poster) for promotional purpose.
2. Entry fees are non-refundable.
3. You own all the rights to the film.
4. You cannot withdraw your submission after the official selection announcement of each round.

Submissions close on July 1st, 2025. All submitters will be notified if they made official selection or rejected by August 1st, 2025.

An unlimited number of films can be submitted, and an unlimited number of films will be considered for the festival. Films must be within the Horror genre or Horror adjacent to be considered. Films must be under 40 minutes in length, including credits. We’ll accept films produced from any date, as long as the it was filmed and/or Filmmaker resides or has resided within Ohio. IE, if you have a great horror film from 50’s or before, we’d love to see it! Films must have been filmed and/or Filmmaker must have residence or had residence within Ohio. Films must be independent, IE must not have been produced by any major studio. Panel of 4 judges will choose festival entries, and awards. No cash prizes will be awarded.

We ask all filmmakers to provide a photo of themselves, bio, trailer and poster for each film upon submission. Although it is not required for consideration, our goal is in not only increase awareness of AIHSFF, but our filmmaking and arts community as a whole. Clips of submitted films, filmmaker photos & bios, trailers, and posters may end up online and posted to our social media, if submitted. We will NOT post whole films on social or any additional online forums.

There will be an awards ceremony to announce winners and reconize official selection at the close of the festival.

Please note, no comp tickets will be provided for official selection or award winners into AIHSFF. All submission payments are final. No refunds will be issued.

The Akron Civic Theatre is 501c3 nonprofit organization, whose mission is to enrich the lives of people of all ages and backgrounds by presenting a diverse array of local and national performing artists and community events. Your support helps keep our doors open while celebrating and strengthening the diversity that makes our community so vibrant and strong.

Important notice: By submitting to Akron Independent Horror Short Film Festival, we consider that the submitter owns all the rights to the film, meaning that the submitted work (i) does not violate or infringe any copyright, patent, privacy right, publicity right, trademark, service mark or any other personal or property right of any person or entity, that (ii) does not constitute or include a defamation of any person or entity, and that (iii) its representatives have paid and will pay in full all license fees, clearance fees, and other obligations, of any kind, arising from or associated with the exhibition of the Film at or in connection with the Festival. Also, that the submitter is duly authorized, on his own behalf and on behalf of all other persons or entities who have any ownership rights or interests (including, without limitation, intellectual property rights) in or relating to the film, to exhibit the film at the Festival.

Rules and terms and conditions are subject to change at the discretion of the Akron Independent Horror Short Film Festival.