Austin Horror Film Festival (AHFF) is a premier horror film festival in the heart of Bat City. Unlike genre film festivals that feature a wide variety of films, AHFF caters specifically to horror enthusiasts. This specialization provides a platform for horror filmmakers to showcase their work to a niche, passionate, and FUN audience.

All screenings occur at the legendary Ballroom ATX with a full bar and food trucks on site. Film blocks are carefully curated, focusing on a mix of horror's many sub-genres including but not limited to psychological, supernatural, slasher, monster, comedy, found footage, and grindhouse.

Our award "trophies" are VHS tapes featuring a compilation of selected shorts from the festival, complete with custom box art and VHS labels, making them a unique and nostalgic tribute to the genre.

Friday night will feature our "Schlock Block," celebrating B-movie style horror shorts, hosted by our own animated version of Joe Bob Briggs, paying homage to his shows MonsterVision and The Last Drive-In.

AHFF is just one part of Phantom Fest, Austin's Halloween Festival, which programs various events throughout October, including themed costume parties and an annual Howl-O-Ween Dog costume contest.

Awards & Prizes

Our one-of-a-kind awards come in the form of VHS tapes complete with a custom AHFF label and cover sleeve!

Awards will be given out during our awards ceremony. The categories include:

Best Texas Short Film
Best U.S. Short Film
Best Foreign Short Film
Best Student Short Film
Best Animated Short Film
Best Comedy Short Film
Best Elevated Horror Short Film
“Schlock Block” Award
Best Feature Film
Best Special Effects
Best Kill
Best Short Screenplay
Best Feature Screenplay
Audience Choice Awards (x4)

Rules & Terms

-No waivers are granted.
-Short films should not exceed 40 minutes in length.
-All films must be in English or have English subtitles.
-Films created prior to 2023 are not eligible.
-Submission does not guarantee acceptance. Submission fees are non-refundable.
-By submitting you certify that your film is an original work to which you have full rights to all aspects, including the use of the music. Your film is not subject to any litigation nor is threatened by any litigation.
-Entrants must maintain open and timely communication with festival organizers. Failure to respond to inquiries or furnish necessary information may result in disqualification.
-By submitting your film you acknowledge and agree that you have read, understood, and fully comply with all submission eligibility information, rules, terms, and conditions.
-To the best of your knowledge, all of the statements in your submission are true.
-You give permission for Austin Horror Film Festival to use stills, titles, copy, video clips, and/or information from the short for promotional purposes.
-You hold Austin Horror Film Festival, its owners, management, juries, subsidiaries, agents, sponsors, affiliates, etc. harmless from any and all claims of liability resulting from your entry.
34 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Tate Cozza

    Amazing festival! Thank you so much

    March 2026
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  • Karl Redgen

    I had a great time at the Austin Horror Film Festival. It was one of the last stops on the circuit for our film and easily one of the best experiences. The communication was excellent, and I truly felt valued as a filmmaker by the entire team. I love the supportive community they’ve built. It’s inspiring to be part of such a passionate festival. I’d definitely recommend submitting, and I’ll be entering again for sure.

    October 2025
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  • Costantino Ciminiello

    AHFF is one of a kind! Sweet VHS tapes with the films on it that you can snag. A quality community and a fantastic turn out!

    This is a brilliantly coordinated event and the team behind AHFF obviously have a lot of love for Horror and the film community.

    Having a bar in the event space made the whole thing feel like a big celebration of genre films and all the food trucks outside kept you close by if you got hungry.

    This fest is the real deal. Highly recommend!

    October 2025
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  • Christina Cooper

    Such a special experience premiering Dinner with the Joneses at AHFF with such an awesome audience! Can't wait to watch it on VHS.

    October 2025
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  • Lieuwe van Albada

    Thanks so much for selecting Paspocalypse! We're very proud to have been awarded the award for Best International Short. Hopefully one day we can attend the festival in person!

    October 2025
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