WHO WE ARE:

COLORADO FESTIVAL OF HORROR is the centennial state's longest running horror convention and is proud to present its latest addition- the REEL HORRORS Short Film Fest!

Reel Horrors Film Festival was founded on the belief that we ALL have the capacity to fall in love with horror. As a three-day celebration of short-form terror, we aim to make the horror genre accessible to everyone - satisfying the diehard fans who have sustained the genre for decades, welcoming newcomers with fresh voices and diverse perspectives, and attracting cinema lovers who appreciate films that push stylistic and thematic boundaries.

Presented within the Colorado Festival of Horror, a weekend long convention featuring nationally recognized horror icons and diverse artists in the field with over 1,500 attendees from Colorado and beyond, Reel Horrors is in the unique position to blend the worlds of the independent film festival circuit and fan-driven culture of traditional horror conventions.

Rooted in Colorado, we proudly champion local filmmakers while embracing emerging international talents and debut storytellers who dare to challenge and redefine horror. We honor the genre’s rich history while seeking bold new visions that evolve its future—curating films that captivate, unsettle, and keep us up at night.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Multi-Day Festival Program: A curated lineup of original horror shorts spanning every corner of the genre—psychological, supernatural, comedic, satirical, and splatter.

A Platform for Discovery: We take immense pride in finding and fostering new and local horror filmmakers, giving fresh voices their first taste of a festival experience. Our 2025 program featured 25% world premieres, underscoring our commitment to championing undiscovered talent and debut storytellers.

Filmmaker Intros & Talkbacks: Engage directly with directors, actors, and craftspeople redefining modern horror.

Expert Panels & Live Podcasts: Conversations that dissect craft, creativity, and cinephile passions.

Award Ceremony: Honoring excellence in short-form horror, from Best Film and Audience Favorite to special recognition for innovation in storytelling and practical effects.

Special Guests: Past editions have featured icons including Brinke Stevens, Lloyd Kaufman, Damien Leone, David Howard Thornton, Michelle Bauer, Lynn Lowry, Monique Dupree, and Pam Grier - bridging generations of horror artistry.

Awards & Prizes

Best Overall Short Film
Best Colorado Short (Mark Reeb CO Filmmaker Award)
Best Debut Short
Best International Short

Special Jury Awards TBA

Rules & Terms

1.) All types of horror short films are welcome including LGBTQ+, Sci-Fi horror, Comedy horror, horror adjacent- anything that fits under the genre umbrella.

2.) 30 minute maximum run time

3.) Must be received no later than July 12, 2026.

4.) Winners will be announced and awarded during the Festival!

10 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Laura Patterson

    A great experience all around! The screening rooms were small but packed to the brim, and the audience was enthusiastic and engaged. Filmmaker Q&A's and the panels run at this festival were incredibly popular with attendees, often with standing room only left by the time they started.

    November 2025
    Helpful
  • Jonjo Lyons

    Thank you so much for screening my short film Better Anything and awarding it the Special Jury Prize for Outstanding Lead Performances. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend, but the communication from the team was great, and I was told everything went really well! Reel Horror is a brilliant festival, and I can't wait to attend with my next project. Thanks guys!

    October 2025
    Helpful
  • Eryn McGarry

    Just fantastic all around! These guys are deeply knowledgeable about film and passionate about supporting indie directors. They were on top of every detail starting weeks before the event. Their communication was flawless; the fest was packed and ran like a well-oiled machine; and the follow-up promotion they did for all the films and panels was so unexpected and appreciated. Being welcomed into this group has been one of the best experiences we could ask for!

    September 2025
    Helpful
  • Faffs Riederer

    I really enjoyed this festival. They gave each film and filmmaker such thoughtful intro and analysis. There was so much love for the horror community and support for each other's works. I will definitely go back again. I saw a ton of great films and got to meet a lot of creators. Five star

    September 2025
    Helpful
  • Jake Allgeier

    A great experience all around with amazing coordinators. Very solid batch of films. Grateful to have had my film accepted into this festival.

    September 2025
    Helpful