Dead Walk Underground is a curated showcase dedicated to cult, transgressive, DIY, and underground genre cinema.
Focused on raw independent filmmaking and outsider horror culture, the program highlights shot-on-video features, experimental horror, splatter films, analog nightmares, punk-inspired cinema, and boundary-pushing genre work from emerging filmmakers around the world.
Unlike traditional horror festivals focused solely on mainstream appeal, Dead Walk Underground embraces the strange, abrasive, challenging, and unconventional side of independent horror filmmaking.
Screenings are presented in a theatrical environment designed for horror fans who appreciate cult cinema, midnight movies, underground video culture, and the spirit of independent genre filmmaking.
We welcome horror, exploitation, experimental, hybrid-genre, analog, and low-budget productions that demonstrate originality, atmosphere, and a strong creative voice.
If your film feels too strange, too aggressive, too experimental, or too unconventional for traditional festivals — this is where it belongs.

Awards & Prizes

Selected films will compete for official Dead Walk Underground awards, with winners receiving custom Dead Walk Fest trophies and recognition across festival promotional channels and social media.

Awards may include:

• Best Underground Horror Feature
• Best Underground Horror Short
• Best Illinois Underground Short
• Best Analog Nightmare
• Best Video Nasty
• Audience Choice Award

Additional awards may be presented at the discretion of the festival.

Dead Walk Underground celebrates fearless independent filmmaking, underground horror culture, and filmmakers with a strong creative voice and passion for genre cinema.

Rules & Terms

Rules & Terms

• All films must be submitted through FilmFreeway.
• Submission fees are non-refundable.
• Films must be submitted by individuals with full legal authority to submit the work, including all music, footage, and copyrighted material.
• Entrants retain all ownership rights to their films and materials.
• Selected films may be screened during Dead Walk Underground live theatrical events and may be featured in festival promotional materials, trailers, social media, or press coverage.
• Feature films must be 60 minutes or longer. Short films must be under 40 minutes.
• Non-English language films must include English subtitles.
• Works-in-progress may be considered if substantially complete.
• Films previously available online may still be eligible at the discretion of the festival.
• Dead Walk Underground reserves the right to determine eligibility and category placement.
• The festival does not pay screening fees for submitted independent films.
• By submitting, entrants grant Dead Walk Underground permission to use stills, posters, trailers, and excerpts of submitted works for promotional purposes.
• Dead Walk Underground celebrates independent underground genre cinema but does not accept hateful, discriminatory, or illegal content.
• Submission does not guarantee acceptance.
• Selected filmmakers will be notified through FilmFreeway.
• Awards, categories, and screening schedules are subject to change at the discretion of the festival.