Anomaly is a scrappy-yet-lovable genre film festival straight from the birthplace of film, celebrating the latest and best independent genre movies from around the world!

Join us November 8-12, 2023 at The Little Theatre in downtown Rochester, for our fifth annual festival celebrating the best in modern independent horror, science fiction, fantasy, action, dark comedy, and truly indescribable films -- shorts and features -- as well as discussions and events!

Run by a crew of enthusiastic, film-obsessed weirdos, Anomaly was founded to keep alive the spirit of genre movies, and to celebrate and foster an exciting and unique filmgoing experience for all who attend our film screenings throughout the year, and our annual November festival. Anomaly is dedicated to discovering and showcasing the most compelling movies from all over the world and the diverse filmmakers who create them.

In past festivals, Anomaly has hosted the U.S. Premieres of both Kyle Edward Ball's "Skinamarink" and the international holiday-horror anthology "Deathcember"; regional premieres of Jane Schoenbrun's "We're All Going to the World's Fair," Michelle Garza Cervera's "Huesera: The Bone Woman," Martika Ramirez Escobar's "Leonor Will Never Die," and many more. Films that have won our Audience Awards have hailed from India, the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Japan, the United States, and beyond!

Awards & Prizes

Audience Awards
- Best Feature
- Best Short

Rules & Terms

- Preview screening format is an online screener ONLY - No DVD screeners.

- Films with a running time of 30 minutes and under qualify as shorts. In an effort to program more films, we prioritize shorts with a running time of 15 minutes or less.

- If submitting more than one film, a separate completed entry is required for each title.

- Submission fees are not refundable.

- A screening committee determines which films shall be exhibited; submissions are not guaranteed to be shown. All decisions of the committee are final.

- Foreign-language films are welcome and encouraged to apply, but must include English subtitles. (Subtitles must be "burned-in" as part of the on-screen image, not a separate SRT file.)

- Selected films must be made available as a downloadable Quicktime file. DCP plus a Quicktime backup is preferred.

- Anomaly reserves the right to use film stills, posters, and/or excerpts of accepted films for promotional purposes.

- Films are scheduled at the discretion of Anomaly, which retains the right to make changes to the published schedule at any time and for any reason.

LEGAL / RIGHTS / CLEARANCES
It is the responsibility of the filmmaker to clear all rights before your film screens at the festival. By submitting a film, the filmmaker acknowledges that they have secured all applicable licenses and waivers of copyrights, moral rights, trademarks and any intellectual property rights.

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.

The submitter shall indemnify and hold harmless Anomaly - The Rochester Genre Film Festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.
17 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Tim Schwagel

    Wasn't able to make it but the programming and communication was top notch.

    Can't wait to be able to attend in person one day!

    November 2022
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  • Josh Funk

    This festival has great communication. They are friendly, approachable, and let us feel welcome even though we couldn't make it in person. I will definitely submit future films to Anomaly!

    November 2022
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  • Will Prescott

    The team at Anomaly is so fantastic! I will definitely submit future work. What a gem of a festival!

    November 2022
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  • Siobhan Gannon

    Having our film selected to be part of Anomaly was an incredible honor. Although my partner and I were unable to attend in person, the staff were incredibly kind and communicative throughout the process. We greatly appreciate the care and thought that went into creating this unique and awesome festival. Highly recommend submitting!

    November 2022
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  • Lisi Purr

    Rochester is a mecca for film history and such a beautiful small city. This festival is the perfect reason to visit. The programming is strong and they are amazing at communicating and supporting the filmmakers. Excited to take part in future festivals.

    November 2022
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