CRYPTICON is a premiere showcase and has a festival screening of over 200 seats at three events in three different cities. We offer direct exposure to the best independent film makers of sci-f and horror genres alike. We provide an actual award based upon the fan response to trailers. Of those submissions winners are hand picked by local film board members and experienced film directors. We generally have hundreds of submissions and only choose 6 full length and six shorts per festival event.

Awards & Prizes

Our event announces and showcases its awards to all of its tens of thousands of event attendees. We promote our award winners at each show and offer the award symbol for use in their packaging and media... Along with the prestige of winning our awards, we find the awards to average in value of $2500 worth of media, audience exposure and marketing to their films. Note that no physical cash is awarded. However, exposure gained through the festival and the prestige of winning before thousands of fans of the genre is truly priceless for any film maker!

Rules & Terms

An entrants film can not currently nor have previously been showcased or screened any where else in Minneapolis or Twin Cities Area in any form prior to the festival. All full lengths may only be submitted via the actual owner/creator and must be free of any current legal distribution. Full consent per owner to show within the event and if chosen, to be screened to the audience as well as presented as an award winner. We will accept almost any style, as in it shorts, feature, animation and more but must fit within the categories listed within the genres of Sci Fi and or Horror. Any film may be entered in as many categories as a film maker chooses. This may increase your chances at becoming accepted and chosen as a winner but does not mean you will be chosen or screened. please understand there is no real cash prize, just the value we put behind the exposure of your film.
If your film fits another category, judges may place it as they believe it fits best, they may also pick your film under a special category if they see fit. Also if your film is chosen but judges feel it is much better suited for another award, the category selected will be changed to what the judges feel best suits the submission!

Films must be submitted by the dates listed to be considered. Entries files should be the best quality available under 8gb in size. All file formats are accepted.
1 Review
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Melissa Mars

    It was an honor to be the winner of Best Scifi short film and screened at both the Cryptic Minneapolis Shockfest, as well as the Cryptic Kansas City Shockfest. I wish I could have made it there. Thank you.

    October 2021
    Helpful