Dead Walk Fest is an independent horror film festival dedicated to celebrating bold, original horror cinema from emerging and established filmmakers.

Held in Hollywood, Florida, the festival showcases a curated selection of horror features and short films from around the world in a theatrical setting designed for horror fans and filmmakers alike.

Dead Walk Fest focuses on audience-driven genre filmmaking — from terrifying creature features and supernatural horror to slashers, horror comedy, and dark psychological tales. Our goal is to spotlight films that embrace the spirit of horror and deliver unforgettable experiences on the big screen.

In addition to film screenings, Dead Walk Fest aims to build a growing community of horror creators and fans through special guests, filmmaker Q&A sessions, and unique programming celebrating cult horror culture.

Dead Walk Fest is part of the larger Dead Walk film event series, which includes additional genre showcases such as the Dead Walk Shot-On-Video & Underground Festival in Chicago, highlighting the raw and DIY side of horror filmmaking.

We welcome submissions from filmmakers around the world who share a passion for independent horror and genre cinema.

If your film is bold, strange, terrifying, or simply unforgettable — we want to see it.

Awards & Prizes

Selected films will compete for Dead Walk Fest Awards, with winners receiving custom Dead Walk Fest trophies created specifically for the festival.

Awards may include:

• Best Horror Feature
• Best Horror Short
• Best Florida Filmmaker Short
• Best Horror Comedy Short
• Best Slasher Short
• Audience Choice Award

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

Winning filmmakers will receive official Dead Walk Fest laurels and recognition across festival promotional channels and social media.

Dead Walk Fest is committed to celebrating independent horror filmmakers and recognizing outstanding work in genre filmmaking.

Rules & Terms

Submission Policy

All films must be submitted through FilmFreeway.

Submission fees support the operational costs of Dead Walk Fest. Submission fee waivers are not offered at this time.

All submission fees are non-refundable, regardless of acceptance status.

Submitting filmmakers confirm they hold the necessary rights and permissions for all material contained in their film.

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Eligibility

• Feature films must have a runtime of 60 minutes or longer.
• Short films must be under 30 minutes.
• All films must be original works created by the submitting filmmakers.

The following are not eligible for submission:

• Fan films based on unlicensed intellectual property
• Plagiarized work or projects using copyrighted material without permission
• Films containing racism, hate speech, or discriminatory content
• Films primarily created using generative AI tools
• Political propaganda films

Films that have already received major theatrical distribution or wide commercial release prior to the festival may not be eligible.

Films in languages other than English must include English subtitles.

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Selection & Exhibition

If selected, filmmakers must be able to provide:

• A high-quality digital screening file suitable for theatrical exhibition
• Promotional materials, including poster artwork, still images, and synopsis

By submitting, filmmakers grant Dead Walk Fest permission to use film stills, trailers, titles, and promotional materials for festival marketing and promotional purposes.

Submission does not guarantee acceptance into the festival.

All programming decisions are final and at the discretion of the festival organizers.

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Tickets & Admissions

Dead Walk Fest is held in an intimate theatrical venue with limited seating (approximately 50 seats).

In order to maintain affordability for both submission fees and festival ticket prices, the festival is unable to provide complimentary admissions for selected filmmakers at this time.

All attendees, including filmmakers, must purchase tickets to attend screenings.

Award-winning filmmakers may receive limited complimentary admission at the discretion of the festival.

A small number of media and industry passes may be issued by the festival for press coverage and promotional purposes.

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Festival Conduct

Dead Walk Fest is committed to maintaining a professional and respectful environment for filmmakers, guests, and attendees.

The festival reserves the right to remove any individual engaging in:

• harassment
• disruptive behavior
• discrimination
• conduct that interferes with the event or other attendees

If a filmmaker or guest is removed from the event due to misconduct, the festival reserves the right to withdraw their participation without refund.

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Professional Representation

Filmmakers representing an official selection of Dead Walk Fest are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the festival’s standards of professionalism and respect toward fellow filmmakers, audiences, and festival staff.

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General Terms

Dead Walk Fest reserves the right to make necessary updates to festival policies, rules, or programming decisions as needed.

Submission to the festival indicates acceptance of these rules and terms.

2 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
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Networking
  • kevin wayne

    Dead Walk Fest was great !

    February 2026
    Helpful
  • Michael Kuciak

    The fest is held at the lovely Alamo Drafthouse in Wrigleyville, which is a great theater. The organizers are friendly and involved, and I had a fantastic time.

    May 2025
    Helpful