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.
33 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Christopher Pinto

    Had a great time and saw some really impressive indie horror films! Jason (the host) went out of his way to make sure all of the film makers and audience had fun, excellent experience. The venue (a 100+ year old theater) was perfectly spooky for the event, and the drive-in movie theater was a very cool throwback.

    October 2024
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  • Eric Pascarelli

    They did a wonderful job! My film played in a very cool historic theater and the trophies were the best I’ve ever seen at a festival thus far!

    October 2024
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  • Takeshi Kinugasa

    Our entire team is truly honored to have been able to participate in the film festival. We wish the festival continued growth and success.

    October 2024
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  • Matt Robb

    Wish I could have attended the festival, I found out a little late that it wasn’t taking place in Miami this year. But nonetheless, I am grateful our film NOMAN won the Gluttony Award and that it got a good reception from the audience.

    November 2023
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    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Rob ... please email me at sinfilmfest@gmail.com. Our email server crashed entirely. I had your award.

  • Bradley Bergling

    Excellent festival! Jason is very friendly and welcoming, the location was a historic venue which was a nice touch and the networking event was also welcoming where everyone could open up and freely be themselves.

    September 2023
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