Filmmakers of the arcane and the macabre…

We invite you to unveil your darkest cinematic visions at the 2026 Festival of Darkness. On the autumnal eve of September 26th, within the haunted halls of Detroit’s historic Redford Theatre, this ominous event gathers local and distant visionaries to share their short-form creations born of light and shadow.

What Awaits: Each year, the Festival of Darkness meticulously curates an approximate 90-minute showcase of short films steeped in darkness, introspection, and horror. From avant-garde student endeavors to intricately crafted mini-features, this festival offers an unparalleled platform to celebrate your creativity within the darkest depths of your imagination.

The Venue: Our sanctuary is the historic Redford Theatre, a restored 1920s gem once hailed as “Detroit’s most unique suburban theatre.” Its grand interior, adorned with Japanese and Chinese motifs, offers 1,610 seats, a vintage concession stand, and secure parking. Here, the past lingers in velvet and shadow, inviting you to immerse yourself in the flicker of the marquee and the glow of the screen.

For further information, visit: festivalofdarkness.com

We look forward to receiving your submission.

🎞️ Festival of Darkness 5
🗓 September 26th, 2026
📍 Redford Theatre, Detroit

Rules & Terms

Submissions are now open for the 2026 Festival of Darkness.

We seek films that dwell in shadow: works that disturb, unsettle, haunt, or reflect the darker corners of the human experience. Whether whispered in monochrome, screamed in surrealism, or etched in silence, your creation is welcome here. There are no restrictions on style or medium; only that your film carries the essence of darkness, introspection, and horror.

To be considered:

• You must be the film’s writer, director, producer, or distributor.
• The total running time must not exceed 30 minutes.
• Non-English films must include English subtitles.
• A review copy must be available for viewing via FilmFreeway.
• If selected, your film must be provided in a downloadable digital format.

Deadline: All submissions must be received by August 1, 2026.

Withdrawal Policy: Premiere status is not required for submission. Should your film be selected by another festival with exclusivity requirements, you may withdraw your film on FilmFreeway prior to our submission deadline. After official selection, films are woven into our program and, regrettably, cannot be unbound.

Screening Rights: If selected, you grant the Festival of Darkness the right to publicly screen your film at the designated venue on the date of the event.
4 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
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  • Eric Millikin

    Great film festival run by great people in a great city! Great to be a part of this!

    October 2024
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  • Carter Ferguson

    We were very glad to have played at this festival, it was perfect for our little film! We put considerable effort into supporting the festival on social media but as we are UK-based we couldn't personally attend. It would be great to hear how it went! Thanks for having us!

    October 2023
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  • Luigi Scarpa

    Wonderful festival in a very picturesque location. Great staff kind and professional
    Thank you very much for everything

    October 2023
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  • Eric Winick

    I was so proud to be featured in this festival. They did a great job making all filmmakers feel special, and their promotional efforts were phenomenal. As a marketer, I can see the challenges inherent in putting on a festival like this, but between the cool venue and the wide selection of films, it seems like this was in every way a success. "Barbarian" has made me somewhat less excited about Detroit, but the Festival is a reason I may visit there in the future.

    October 2022
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