Cinema Scares (formerly Sinister Nights (SIN) Film Festival) serves to showcase the best of indie horror from around the world...and, to connect filmmakers with fans, as well as with each other.

Cinema Scares Film Festival Objectives
- Providing exposure through various media to film makers and their films to the greater horror genre and its related subgenres (exploitation, sci-fi, dark comedy, etc.)
- Providing a robust and dynamically interactive experience for horror fans and horror genre filmmakers
- Academically fertile ground for the discussion of and growth of the genre and it’s subgenres
- Connecting the greater network of film professionals and fans
- Providing the ability for filmmakers and film professionals to network
- Providing honest and realistic cross-section of international horror for horror fans and genre professionals
- Strive to offer a well-rounded, robust, inclusive, experience for fans and filmmakers to connect, network, and grow
- Facilitate the negotiation and interaction of film professionals of a variety of film makers, and film fans
- Link the ultimate consumer with the filmmaker and their films
- Unique experience in that film professionals can see real fans show an audience reception and reaction to a genre film
- Film and horror connoisseurs dedicated to the discovery, promotion, and appreciation of the independent horror film.
- Dedicated to the discovery, preservation, networking, education and enjoyment of film in the genre and subgenres
- Committed to supporting the horror genre and its subgenres
- Committed to serving and supporting the independent film maker within the genre and subgenres.

Awards & Prizes

Best Director
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Feature
Best Short
Best SFX
Best Screenplay
Best Cinematography
Best Score/Soundtrack
Audience Choice

Rules & Terms

Cinema Scares Film Festival is hereby granted to the right to utilize any excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at Cinema Scares Film Festival for promotional purposes. 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 individual or corporation submitting shall indemnify and hold harmless Cinema Scares 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 projects entered.
39 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Nate Dalton

    Such an amazing festival! Not only was the theater that hosted the event beautiful, with a full balcony, but there was also a midnight Drive-In each night. I didn't know I needed to see my film on a giant drive-in screen until it happened, and now I'm hooked. The programmers, volunteers and staff were all amazing, and really went out of their way to make the event fun and fruitful for all of the filmmakers. Flat out one of the best film festivals I've ever been to.

    October 2025
    Helpful
  • Zoe Kavanagh

    Great festival run by really cool people that love what they do! Had a great time!

    October 2025
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Zoe ... and thanks for making the trip from Ireland! Hope to see you again.

  • Lukas Hassel

    Top notch personal festival with great turn out in a charming town. Had a blast!

    October 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Lukas!

  • Adam Daniel Mezei

    Can't say enough good things about Mr. Jason and this fun intimate festival: what a true honor it was to receive your stellar "Hoosier Hospitality" and to have won the Best Feature Award for 2025 with our film PLAY ALONG -- winning the top prize totally took our breath away. Proof positive that the large film festivals -- which have become like business operations than a genuine celebration of cinema (especially on the indie tip!) -- don't have a thing over small regional festivals like Jason's. We hope to make something soon which we can submit to Cinema Scares once again and return to the sweet confines of Shelbyville, Indiana and the wonderful Midwest. Thanks heaps from your favorite Canadians: Adam, Jade, Angelica and the entire PLAY ALONG team for hosting us and showing us the way.

    October 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your kind words, Adam. Hope to see your work at future fests!

  • Rhys Thompson

    Jason Hignite and the team put on an epic event and deserve so much praise and credit for the spectacular festival. Will definitely be entering again. They are all great

    October 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Rhys!!!