The Black Sunday Film Festival returns in 2024 for Chapter 5!

Now in our fifth year, we have relocated the festival to Chelmsford, Essex - bringing our unique brand of horror to one of the oldest towns in the UK. We have also partnered with Odeon Cinemas, with our three day event taking place inside the four walls of the Odeon, Chelmsford located in the heart of the town centre! Once again sponsored by Arrow Video, we promise to bring a mix of the best genre films from around the world to the heart of Essex.

As in previous years, our goal is to put a firm spotlight on the best indie genre cinema, no matter the budget. Amateur or professional, we want to see your films.

Our definition of 'genre cinema' is not limited to just horror either. We want to see everything from sci-fi and dark comedy, to edgy drama, experimental animation and dark documentaries, to fantasy and everything in between.
Come join us, as 2024 shapes up to be bigger and better than ever before. Do Not Miss This!

Awards & Prizes

Best Overall Film
Best Feature
Best Short
Best Director
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Local Film

Rules & Terms

Non English films must have English subtitles.

All rights must be cleared by the producers and is the sole responsibility of the films producers.

All films, shorts and features, must provide a DCP for screening.

Best Local Film will be awarded to one film where the filmmakers or film production are Essex based.

16 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Thomas Vanbrabant

    Clear and fast communication, nice people, cool vibe. Thanks for having us!

    February 2022
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  • Vincent Mancuso

    Brilliant festival, so happy my short HELLSPORK made its UK debut at Whirled Cinema. Super bummed I couldn't be there in person, but everyone involved did an incredible job keeping me up to date and in the loop.

    February 2022
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  • wandering dragon

    Our film ‘The Stairs’ was shown at Black Sunday Film Festival, unfortunately because of covid protocols we couldn't attend this year but we look forward to submitting again for future projects and hope to attend in-person. Very communicative and seems to be a fun festival.

    July 2021
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  • James Atkins

    Outstanding film festival with amazing films and brilliant atmosphere. Organisation and communication was excellent throughout, and I will definitely submit again in the future

    June 2021
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  • Andy Edwards

    I can't recommend the Black Sunday Film Fest highly enough. Our short played in a very well curated segment of other shorts, each short different to the next but all were great. The organisers were very welcoming to all the filmmakers, and it was a great (if tricky to find!) venue. With this amount of love put into the festival I can see it growing from strength to strength.

    November 2019
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