Celebrate a decade of terror at the 10th Anniversary of CreepyCon with the Third Annual Shriek Show Film Festival — a premier showcase of independent horror cinema from around the world.

Hosted by filmmaker Jake Eastwood and featuring awards presented by legendary scream queen Felissa Rose, the Shriek Show Film Festival brings together filmmakers, fans, and industry professionals for an unforgettable weekend of horror, suspense, and creativity.

From chilling short films to groundbreaking feature premieres, Shriek Show is dedicated to spotlighting bold new voices in genre filmmaking while honoring the spirit of independent horror. Selected films will screen before passionate live audiences at CreepyCon — the Southeast's fastest-growing horror convention — offering filmmakers unparalleled exposure, networking opportunities, press coverage, and audience engagement.

Official selections will compete for a variety of awards recognizing excellence in directing, acting, cinematography, special effects, storytelling, and audience impact — culminating in a live awards presentation hosted by Felissa Rose.

Whether you're an emerging filmmaker or an established genre creator, the Shriek Show Film Festival is your chance to premiere your work, connect with horror fans and industry insiders, and become part of CreepyCon history.

Enter if you dare.

Awards & Prizes

• THE "AH! SCARE!" AWARD: CREEPIEST FILM OF 2026
• THE FINAL GIRL AWARD: BEST CHARACTERS
• THE HEART STOPPER: BEST GORE FX
• THE POE AWARD: BEST STORYTELLING
• THE BATES SPECIAL: BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Rules & Terms

Submission Guidelines

* All films must contain horror, thriller, suspense, paranormal, dark fantasy, or genre-related themes.
* Films must be submitted by the filmmaker, producer, or authorized representative with full rights to screen the project.
* Foreign language films are welcome but must include English subtitles.
* Works-in-progress may be accepted, but completed films are preferred.

Content Restrictions:

Shriek Show Film Festival aims to create a professional, public-friendly horror event that can be enjoyed by broad audiences, convention attendees, filmmakers, and guests.

The following content is NOT permitted:

* Explicit pornography or unsimulated sexual acts
* Graphic or prolonged nudity intended solely for exploitation
* Sexual assault or rape scenes
* Real animal cruelty or abuse
* Hate speech or intentionally discriminatory

(it’s a public horror festival, use you’re best judgment)

Shriek Show Film Festival – Rules & Terms

The Shriek Show Film Festival celebrates independent horror cinema in all its dark, creative, and imaginative forms. We welcome submissions ranging from psychological horror and supernatural thrillers to creature features, suspense, sci-fi horror, dark fantasy, horror-comedy, and experimental genre films.

Weather your film is a Premire, a festival circuit film, or if it’s already available to the public, we accept all forms of storytelling.