Please note: Due to unforseen circumstances, we are not able to complete any feedback categories and have been deleted. We apologies for any inconvience and we will resume these categories in given time.

Darren Marshall Productions Proudly Presents: The Cinematic Horror Film Festival.

The Cinematic Horror Festival is a fresh, filmmaker-driven celebration of horror in all its form. From slow-burn dread to full-throttle terror. As a first-year festival, we’re built by horror fans, for horror fans, offering a bold platform for indie filmmakers to showcase their work, connect with fellow creators, and thrill audiences hungry for something new.

This is where underground gems and uncompromising visions take the spotlight. No corporate filters. No watered-down scares. Just pure, unfiltered horror.

Why Submit?
- Premiere Status Welcome – We prioritize fresh, undiscovered films.
- Audience of Die-Hard Fans – Your film screens to real horror lovers, not just industry suits.
- Filmmaker-Focused – No elitism, no gatekeeping just a shared obsession with the genre.
- Awards & Bragging Rights – Compete for recognition in categories like Best Nightmare Fuel, Most Original Terror, and Audience Choice.
- Networking event at the cinema's bar before and after the screening with other creatives and industry professionals and a chance to meet new friends and make new connections.

We’re looking for features, shorts, and wild experiments that push boundaries whether through storytelling, atmosphere, or sheer WTF moments. If it haunts us, we want it.

Awards & Prizes

COMPETITION WINNERS
1st Place – "Best Horror" (Grand Prize)

"Best Horror" trophy

"Scariest Film" laurels + promotional spotlight

An offer to screen your film at the Cinematic International Film Festival (Gold Coast) to compete for the Prize Money of $1,500 AUD

The filmmaker retains the right to decline this selection.

Please note: Only the winning film of the Cinematic Horror Film Festival will be awarded this right to screen at the Cinematic International Film Festival, Gold Coast. If winning filmmakers wish to submit another film to the Cinematic International Film Festival, then they must pay the correct fees that are advertised on the Cinematic International Film Festival's FilmFreeway page.

If the winning filmmaker decides to decline the offer to screen at the Cinematic International Film Festival but later decides to enter the winning film to the Cinematic International Film Festival, then they must pay the correct fees as advertised on the Cinematic International Film Festival's FilmFreeway Page. Declining to screen will make the offer immediately invalid.

2nd & 3rd Place – "Silver Scream" & "Bronze Terror" Awards

Themed trophies for exceptional achievement

Official laurels + social media feature

-CATEGORY AWARDS (Trophies)

Best Actor/Actress – For transformative performances

Best Screenwriter – Most original/powerful narrative

Best Editor – Excellence in pacing and atmosphere

Best Composer – Outstanding musical storytelling

Best Student Film - Awarded to the Best Student Filmmaker

- FESTIVAL HONORS

All Official Selections receive:

Exclusive festival medal

Digital laurels for marketing

Rules & Terms

1. ELIGIBILITY

Genre: Only Horror films are accepted (all subgenres accepted).

Premiere Status: No premiere requirements, but priority given to new work.

Completion Date: Films must be completed within two years of the current festival date. Example: If you're wanting to submit to the 2026 festival, then films must have been completed in 2024

Language: Non-English films require English subtitles.

Formats: Digital submissions only. Please only submit through FilmFreeway

Fees: Non-refundable. Fee waivers at the organiser’s discretion.

Multiple Entries: Allowed, but each requires a separate fee.

2. SELECTION & SCREENING

Programming: All decisions are final. Feedback is only provided in the Feedback categories of the festival.

Screening Format: Selected films must provide DCP. If selected, please send the film through either Dropbox or your preferred service.

Screenings: Films will be shown at Dendy Cinemas in Southport on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. If you are selected or would like to attend the festival, please note that all patrons must park in the underground parking to receive a discounted parking rate. Alternatively, you can catch the G Link Tram, which stops outside the movie theatre and links up to the Helensvale Train Station. If you have any questions or concerns, please email darrenmarshallproductions@gmail.com

3. RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Ownership: Filmmakers retain all rights.

Licensing: By submitting, you grant us non-exclusive rights to:

Screen your film during the festival.

Use clips (<2 mins) and stills for promotional purposes.

Music/Clearances: You confirm that all rights (music, likeness, etc.) are secured. Any films that are found to be violating any copyright will be immediately disqualified.

4. AWARDS & PRIZES

Grand Prize ("Best Horror") qualifies for the Cinematic International Film Festival (Gold Coast) for their chance to win the grand prize of $1500. The winning filmmaker/s may decline the secondary festival slot if they choose.

Physical trophies will be shipped to winners or presented to you at the event; shipping costs are covered by the festival.

5. GENERAL

Disqualification: For incomplete materials, fraud, or failure to comply with rules.

Agreement: Submission constitutes acceptance of these terms.

Contact: darrenmarshallproductions@gmail.com for questions.

Delivery of DCP:

Your film must be delivered and in DCP format one month before the event in order for us to test and properly communicate with you about any issues that may arise. Any films that haven't been delivered by the 27th of July 2026 will be immediately disqualified with no refund. By submitting your film to us, you accept that all material, including DCP, will be delivered by this date.

Assistance with DCP creation:

Although we prefer the filmmaker/s to handle a DCP creation themselves, we are able to assist you at an extra cost. Please email us if you need our assistance, and we'll give you a helping hand.

Student Films:

All student film submissions must email a current and valid student ID or proof of enrolment within 7 days of submissions. We reserve the right to disqualify anyone who fails to provide this evidence within the given time frame. Please send a scanned copy of your proof of enrolment or ID to: darrenmarshallproductions@gmail.com

Thanks. And hope to see your creations.