ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The 17th annual Eerie Horror Fest returns to the historic Warner Theatre for 2024!
Join us for 2 days of film experiences in downtown Erie, Pennsylvania. Programming includes selected short and feature length films, special screening events, celebrity meet and greets, industry panel discussions, vendors, parties and more!
In 2021, the Eerie Horror Fest became a program managed by the Film Society of Northwestern Pennsylvania and continues to be operated by veteran EHF members.

ABOUT THE VENUE:
This fabulous structure bears the name of the world-famous Warner Bros., who commissioned it to be built in 1929. The theater features a 65-foot-by-28-foot proscenium stage and is complemented by crushed velour, gold and silver leaf, and gold-backed French mirrors. The air-conditioned theatre provides more than 2,250 upholstered, theatre-style seats. The Warner's Grand Lobby has capacity for up to 500 persons.
Also home to the Erie Philharmonic, Lake Erie Ballet and the Erie BROADWAY Series, the Warner Theatre hosts a wide range of lectures and entertainment shows. The theatre showcases an impressive schedule of more than 150 events per year.
Visit https://www.eriewarnertheatre.com/ to learn more.

Each winner will receive an InkTip prize package. Each prize package includes four months of the InkTip Pro membership to promote themselves and their scripts to InkTip's large network of producers and reps.

BEST OF THE FEST (Overall Award - scored the highest in EVERY department category) - Prize is $1000, a timeslot in our "Awards Ceremony" block, an InkTip Prize Package and a RED "Skullie" award designed by Monster Mark Kosobucki.

BEST NEW BLOOD (Overall Award for a first time filmmaker) - Prize is a timeslot in our "Awards Ceremony" block, an InkTip Prize Package and a RED "Skullie" award designed by Monster Mark Kosobucki.

Other Awards
Best Sound, Best Special/Visual FX, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Editing, Best Production Design.
Prizes are a timeslot in our "Awards Ceremony" block, an InkTip Prize Package and a GREEN "Skullie" award designed by Monster Mark Kosobucki.

I. APPLICATION OF THESE TERMS & CONDITIONS

1. The following terms and conditions (the “Terms”) govern the submission of a film (the “Film”) to Eerie Horror Fest (“EHF”), through filmfreeway.com (“FilmFreeway”), for consideration for the 2024 Eerie Horror Fest (the “Festival”). Any questions about these Terms should be directed to info@eeriehorrorfest.com.

II. SUBMISSION AGREEMENT

1. By submitting a Film to EHF for Festival consideration, the submitter (the “Applicant”) represents that they have (i) read, understood and agreed to the Terms, and (ii) obtained consent from any and all owners, creators, writers, producers, and/or other authorized representatives or rights holders of the Film whose consent is required to submit the Film to EHF (the “Film Owners”).

2. Submission fees are in U.S. Dollars and are non-refundable.

3. EHF may disqualify or reject, but is not required to do so, any submission that it determines, in its sole and absolute discretion would not be in EHF's best interest to include in the Festival, including, but not limited to, any Film that is not in compliance, in whole or in part, with these Terms, and may do so without refunding any submission or other fees paid by the Registrant or returning any materials submitted by the Registrant. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if any person connected to the Film is involved in, or alleged to be involved in, any situation or occurrence which subjects such person to public scandal, disrepute, widespread contempt, or public ridicule, that violates EHF’s code of conduct, or that will tend to shock, insult or offend the community or public morals or decency or prejudice EHF in general, then EHF shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to take any action it deems appropriate, including but not limited to excluding such person from attendance at the Festival and/or disqualifying the Film from participation in the Festival.

III. SUBMISSION CATEGORIES AND ELIGIBILITY

1. Films submitted to EHF for Festival consideration under these Terms must be submitted in one of the categories set out below.

2. Films that do not meet the eligibility requirements for any of the below categories should not be submitted and will not be considered by EHF.

3. Submission categories:
Category/Eligibility Requirements:
Feature Film - Feature films (both domestic and international) with run times of 50 minutes or longer.
Short Film - Short films (both domestic and international) with run times of 49 minutes or less.

4. A Film will not be eligible for consideration and should not be submitted if:
a. the Film was completed prior to July 31, 2022; or

b. the Film was previously submitted to EHF for Festival consideration (please note: we will accept a “new cut” of a film that was previously submitted to EHF, provided that the Film still meets our eligibility requirements. We define a “new cut” as a Film that has undergone substantial changes including, but not limited to: editing, reshoots, or a new run time. Please submit a brief statement with your submission with reference to the new cut); or

c. the Film has been for sale on DVD/Blu-ray/VOD; or

d. the Film:
(i) had theatrical releases, or

(ii) has aired on television, or

(iii) has been available on a public streaming platform in the United States

EHF reserves the right to rule, in its sole discretion, on cases and situations not foreseen by these Terms.

5. All Films must be submitted as online screeners via FilmFreeway (as described below).

6. All selected films must supply EHF with an exhibition copy (“Exhibition Copy” or “Exhibition Copies”) of the Film by August 31, 2024, in a Theatrical Screening Format and/or Online Screening Format, as specified by EHF upon invitation. Note that delivery requirements are different based on format.

a. Theatrical Screening Format: applicable to Theatrical Screening Copies of feature films and Primetime serial content that are scheduled for presentation in cinema.

b. Online Screening Format: applicable to Online Screening Copies of all feature films, short films in short programs, and Primetime serial content presented on our online screening platform.

c. All non-English language films will be required to provide content with English subtitles.

IV. PROCESS FOR SUBMISSION
Submission Procedure

1. All Films submitted under these Terms must be submitted in accordance with the procedure outlined herein. EHF may, but is not required to, disqualify or reject any Film that is not submitted in this way.

2. To submit a Film for Festival consideration, an Applicant must: (a) complete the registration process at FilmFreeway and pay the required fee and provide to EHF an online screener via FilmFreeway for review by EHF programming staff. EHF does not accept submissions in any other manner or format, including: DVDs, content burned to Read/Write (RW) discs, Blu-ray discs, external online links, downloadable files, or trailers.

3. Applicants should test their online screeners thoroughly before submitting them, and ensure their online screener remains active on FilmFreeway until August 31, 2024. The Applicant has sole responsibility for ensuring that the submitted online screener plays in its entirety. The screener must contain English subtitles if the original language is not English. If EHF is unable to view the online screener, EHF may attempt, but is under no obligation, to contact the Applicant in order to obtain a replacement online screener.

4. EHF will not review multiple versions of a submitted Film. Only one version of the Film may be submitted. If multiple versions are submitted, EHF can not guarantee the newest version will be reviewed and may only view the version that was received first.

5. Screeners will not be returned.

6. EHF is under no obligation to contact the Submitting Party should the Applicant not have adhered to the rules. Submission fees are non-refundable.

V. SELECTION

1. EHF will consider for inclusion in the Festival all eligible films that have been submitted by the above deadline and in accordance with these Terms. EHF reserves the right to consider for inclusion in the Festival, and include in the Festival, films received at any time and through any means, channel, or process, including means, channels, or processes other than those outlined in these Terms. Nothing in these Terms or otherwise requires EHF to select for Festival inclusion any of the Films submitted through the process outlined in these Terms.

2. All selection decisions are at the sole and absolute discretion of EHF, and are final and unreviewable. EHF is not required to provide any feedback, comments, or reasons, or any other information, regarding the selection or non-selection of any submitted Film or the process by which Films are or have been selected. EHF is not responsible or liable for its selection decisions; for the contents of any internal comments or feedback regarding the Film that are or may be obtained from the Applicant or anyone else; for any communications by any representative of EHF relating to the Film or the Festival selection process; for the manner in which the Film shall be, is, or was considered and reviewed; or for any failure on the part of the Festival to provide the Applicant or anyone else with information concerning EHF’s consideration and/or review of the Film.

3. EHF will notify by September 2, 2024, all Applicants who have been selected to participate in the Festival. All Applicants who are not selected to participate in the Festival will be contacted by email on or around September 2, 2024. EHF will contact Applicants using the contact information provided in the FilmFreeway registration form. Applicants are responsible for providing correct and functional contact information. EHF is not responsible for any failed attempts to contact Applicants using the contact information provided.

VI. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, LEGAL CLAIMS, AND INDEMNITIES

1. By submitting the film to EHF, the Applicant and Film Owners (the “Submitting Parties”) hereby warrant and represent that: (i) the Film is wholly original and is not copied from and does not include any other work that is the subject of copyright or other protection, unless such work is in the public domain or the Submitting Parties have obtained any and all consents, releases, licenses, and other authorizations or waivers of any kind necessary for the inclusion or reproduction of any person, character, location, thing, trademark, sound recording, musical composition, or other work in the Film; (ii) the Film does not defame any person or violate the common law or statutory rights, including, without limitation, the rights of privacy and publicity or any other right of any person; (iii) the Film is not the subject of litigation or any dispute that may give rise to litigation; (iv) there are no agreements, nor will there be any agreements made subsequent to the date of this Film submission, that would or could have the effect of impairing the Submitting Parties’ ability to provide the Film as contemplated herein, or otherwise conflict with any provision of these Terms; and (v) the Submitting Parties have the full right, power, and authority to submit the Film to EHF for Festival consideration, and to grant all of the rights granted hereunder and in the FilmFreeway registration form, including, without limitation, the right to screen the Film in Festival venues and/or digitally on EHF’s online screening platform, and there is no prior obligation or impediment which would in any way impair or restrict the Submitting Parties from fully performing all obligations pursuant to the submission and these Terms.

2. The Submitting Parties agree to indemnify and hold harmless EHF, its licensees, successors, and assigns, and its and their members, officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives, associates, volunteers, and affiliates (each, a “Releasee”), from any claim, suit, action, or other proceeding brought against a Releasee and from any losses, costs, or damages, including the Releasee’s full legal fees and costs, which it may have suffered or incurred or may suffer or incur, directly or indirectly based on, in connection with, or arising from the use and exhibition of the Film submitted by the Applicant, including, without limitation, the decision to exhibit or not exhibit the Film, which decision shall be in EHF’s sole and absolute discretion, or the breach or alleged breach of any representation, warranty, or other agreement made by the Applicant in these Terms, or in the Applicant’s FilmFreeway registration form.

3. EHF takes reasonable anti-piracy and security precautions. While in EHF’s possession, all Films are securely stored and regularly inventoried. Access to Films is limited to EHF staff who require access in order to screen and consider submissions. No duplication and loaning of Films is permitted. Digital Screenings made available on EHF’s online screening platform will possess, at minimum, (i) access restrictions to accredited delegates and ticket purchasers, (ii) forensic watermarking on the content, (iii) geoblocking capabilities, and (iv) restrictions on concurrent streaming across devices. By submitting a Film to EHF, the Submitting Parties hereby release EHF from any and all liability in the event of theft, unauthorized access or copying, or any breach of copyright of the Film while it is in EHF’s possession or on EHF’s online screening platform.

VII. OTHER

1. EHF reserves the right to rule, in its sole and absolute discretion, on cases and situations not foreseen by these Terms.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Christine Jansen

    This was an wonderful festival for all ages! The theater was beautiful, the films were great, and the vendors all had interesting wares. Highly recommend to anyone!

    October 2024
  • What can I say about Eerie Horror Fest? is that it has been one of our highlights in our festival run,m definitely one of the most important for our project, thank you so much for the space and for sharing our film THE RED STONE with your audience, communication was always so fast and smooth, you people are so kind, thank you for supporting us!
    This has become on of my MUST go to festivals from now on, the Theater is spectacular!

    October 2024
  • Matthew Spriggs

    I was honored to be a part of this festival.

    October 2024
  • D.M. Harring

    My favorite festival of the year. Beautiful venue (maybe the most beautiful theater I've ever seen). Well curated panels and vendors. The staff are so special, their energy was infectious. Really impressed by the programming overall, covered the whole gamut of horror, there was something for everyone. I hope to make it back next year!

    October 2024
  • Rob Federic

    The organizers at Eerie fest are so incredibly kind and communicative, they’re really organized and welcoming this is a fantastic festival to go to!

    October 2024