Crypticon Seattle Film Festival showcases a diverse range of horror films, encompassing genres such as dark, scary, creepy, bloody, haunting, nasty, indie, underground, eerie, violent, strange, unusual, horror, horrific, weird, and macabre.

As a member of a large community of horror and film enthusiasts, the festival celebrates the love of horror and all things dark, weird, and unusual.
We screen for an appreciative audience filled with enthusiasm, eagerly anticipating the films presented each year.

Horror can be high art, high camp, and everything in between, and the festival embraces all forms of horror.

MISSION & OBJECTIVE
The festival aims to foster a strong community of film-loving individuals and filmmakers. It seeks to captivate its audience with thrilling and unsettling films. In essence, the festival represents the best emerging horror from the underground, capable of invading the mind, haunting nightmares, and providing bragging rights.

NW Filmmaker Submissions
If you are an independent filmmaker from the Pacific Northwest (Idaho, Oregon, or Washington), contact us for a submission waiver. NW films can submit without any fee. Additionally, if you have screened at previous Crypticon Seattle Film Festivals, you are also eligible for a waiver.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Crypticon Seattle was recognized as the Best Convention in Seattle by the readers of The Seattle Weekly. Crypticon Seattle has been around for nearly 20 years and Crypticon Seattle Film Festival has been a part of nearly every one.

Crypticon Seattle celebrates the darker side of the Pacific Northwest. It offers three days of entertainment featuring your favorite actors, authors, artists, and a diverse array of new and intriguing individuals.

Crypticon Seattle, initially a modest convention for hardcore horror enthusiasts, has evolved into a significant event dedicated to the eerie and supernatural. The convention’s primary objective is to support the arts by providing platforms for local and international talent across various fields, including movies, television, radio, music, art, literature, and creators of household products and games. These events are predominantly dark-themed, catering to the interests of avid horror fans.
Crypticon Seattle’s most popular annual events include the film festival, the on-site makeup contest, panels, classes, and the 13th floor. Additionally, the convention hosts Biohazard parties, panels featuring industry insiders, and opportunities to meet actors, authors, artists, directors, and paranormal experts.

Beyond scheduled activities, attendees can explore the vendor room and connect with other enthusiasts in a weekend filled with captivating and unsettling experiences.
Crypticon Seattle welcomes and supports all forms of dark art, encouraging individuals from diverse backgrounds to partake in the festivities. Whether you are a fan of zombies, vampires, goth, fetish, dark fantasy, or science fiction, Crypticon Seattle offers something for everyone.

Crypticon Seattle promises an unforgettable weekend of entertainment and fright.

To reiterate Northwest filmmakers, Crypticon Seattle offers a submission waiver for films shot in Idaho, Oregon, or Washington. Filmmakers that have screened films at previous Crypticon Seattle Film Festivals are also eligible for this waiver.

Awards & Prizes

We give awards at our festival:

• Jury Selections of "Best Short" "Best NW film"

Rules & Terms

I, the undersigned, acknowledge and agree:
1 . I have read, understood, and fully complied with all submission eligibility information, Submission Guidelines, Terms and Conditions of Entry, and Entry Eligibility requirements.
2 . To the best of my knowledge, all of the statements in this document are true.
3 . This film or video is not subject to any litigation nor is it threatened by any litigation.
4 . I am duly authorized to submit this film to the Festival.
5 . I hold Crypticon Seattle harmless from damage to the print(s) or tape(s) en route or otherwise during the course of the Festival's possession of the film.
6 . I hold Crypticon Seattle , its owners, management, juries, subsidiaries, agents, sponsors, affiliates, etc., harmless from all claims of liability resulting from my entry.
7 . I certify that I have full rights to use the music in the entered work.
8. No AI was used in the creation of effects, images, or music in the submitted film.
9. Once an entry payment has been processed. We cannot provide a refund. The account holder may be subject to any fees if a payment is disputed.
10. I permit Crypticon Seattle to use stills, titles, copy, and/or information from the short or feature for promotional purposes.
11. I permit Crypticon Seattle to screen the film at the 2026 Crypticon Seattle Film Festival. Any future screenings will only happen with the filmmaker's permission.
12. Entrant's name, address, and the production's title must be on each case or videotape / DVD.
13. If a film receives an invitation to participate, the film must be shipped prepaid, insured, and packed in proper containers or submitted online per Festival request. Several options are presented upon selection.
14. Crypticon Seattle does not assume any liability for damage to prints due to improper containers.
15. Crypticon Seattle is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the 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 undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless Crypticon Seattle 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 videos entered.

58 Reviews
Overall Rating
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  • G Wilson

    How could we not want to be part of a festival with such a sick logo!?

    We were beyond pumped to have BORGLESQUE programmed in the WTF Block at the 2026 Crypticon Seattle Film Festival. Even though we couldn't attend in person, the team was incredibly communicative, welcoming, and made the entire experience a blast from afar.

    We can't wait to submit our next project when the time comes and hopefully make it out to Seattle to celebrate with everyone!

    June 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you! It would be great to see you at the show.

  • Miette Deschenes

    Thank you so much for including my film in your festival. Crypticon was so much fun to attend, horror fans are always so welcoming and enthusiastic. I loved walking the Artist Alley and the vendor areas, and it was so fun to watch the other films in the festival! I would recommend to any horror fans in the PNW!

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, glad you were a part of the fun.

  • Melissa Woodrow

    Loved Crypticon! The entire weekend was amazing and the film festival was so great! We hope to be back next year and meet more folks. Amazing films and people, thank you for everything you do!

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, we are glad you had a good time at the show. We look forward to seeing your future films.

  • Shaun Springer

    Crypticon is an epicenter of Horror Fandom, and it was an honor to be a part of the Film Festival! This is truly one of the best organized events, and everyone involved with this festival has been wonderful!

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, that is wonderful to hear. I am glad you had a great time.

  • Raymond Cara

    Huge thank you for screening my film 'Simon Says So'. Wish I could've made it out from Toronto!! Looked liked an amazing event.

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for thinking of Crypticon Seattle Film Festival for your great film.