FrightFest was founded to provide the UK with a fantasy and horror film festival similar to the market leaders in Europe and the US. Now entering its 25th year, the festival has evolved into a community where audiences and guests travel worldwide to be part of its unique atmosphere.

Apart from many one-off screenings, we host three main events each year. Our primary five-day London event in 2024 runs from 22 to August 26. Also, in London, we host a Halloween event over the final weekend of October, and then there is our three-day Terror-a-thon in Scotland, FrightFest Glasgow. This event in early March is a strand of the Glasgow Film Festival.

We are currently accepting submissions for both our March and August events, with a small reduction in submission fees for early bird submissions. The final deadline for features is midnight on the 1st of June 2024, and for shorts, it’s midnight on the 1st of July 2024.

Films submitted before the 1st of December 2023, when the Glasgow event films need to be in place and not selected, will also be eligible for selection at FrightFest London in August 2024.

Films selected for Glasgow will be announced in early January. London features are revealed in mid-July with shorts in early August.

Awards & Prizes

FrightFest is a non-competitive festival.

Rules & Terms

THE ORGANISATION - London FrightFest Limited (FF) was founded in 2000 and is the UK's premiere fantasy, thriller and horror film festival.

ELIGELIGIBILITY - FF is open to short films, television series, feature and documentary films from across the Horror, Fantasy, Sci-Fi and Thriller genres. We accept entries from all sizes of budgets and production techniques.

The primary contact completing the submission must be authorised to submit the film for consideration. Films submitted must have permission from a distributor or sales agent representing the film. The applicant must have obtained clearance to include any copyrighted music and images used. This submission confirms that the applicant has all rights required to screen the submitted film.

Only films completed after 1st January 2023 are eligible. Films previously submitted to FF will not be considered. Features must be at least a UK premiere to be eligible for selection.

Features and shorts available online will also not be considered.

SUBMISSIONS - FF only accepts submissions via FilmFreeway. FF guarantees that your film will never be used in anything other than that you agree.

SUBMISSION FEES - There is a submission fee to enter your film. All submissions are final, and there are no refunds.

MULTIPLE ENTRIES - You may enter as many films as you wish. Each entry requires a separate submission form, fee and upload.

CONTACT - For all enquiries, don't hesitate to get in touch with frightfest@mac.com

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILMS - If the original language of any dialogue or text featured in the film is not English, the preview and screening copy must have English subtitles.

SELECTION PROCEDURE - Two or more selection team members view submitted films. All programming selections are at the discretion of the FF Directors, whose decision is final.

FF will not provide comments on films before submission or reasons for rejecting a submitted film. However, we are happy to provide informal feedback on individual films after the festival. Note -this is a non-binding commitment.

NOTIFICATION - FF will not confirm the receipt of submissions. All applicants selected will be notified via e-mail about their films selection.

FESTIVAL SCREENINGS - All films screened in our cinemas at FF screen from DCP. No exceptions.

Films in our programme may be screened more than once. Films may be screened privately by any jury or accredited guests. Films may also be included in other public programmes, subject to the submitter's permission.

There are no fees for participating in the festival. Participants are not entitled to claim rental or other fees for screenings of their films at the festival.

FURTHER SCREENINGS - The submitter authorises FF to file their film in the festival archive if selected for the festival. It may be made available for additional screenings or events promoted by the festival solely for cultural and not commercial purposes.

PUBLICITY - Besides reproducing stills from selected films for all FF publications and press, selected films may be screened for preview screenings to promote FF.

SUBMISSION AGREEMENT - You will be asked if you have read and agreed with the festival's regulations at the point of payment on your submission. By proceeding with your submission, you can then go ahead and process your application. The entry of a film is binding and implies the acceptance of these regulations. In the event of disagreement concerning the rules' interpretation, the festival's understanding will take precedence. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in the submission being disqualified. These regulations are subject to change without prior notice.

DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS FOR SELECTED FILMS - The selection notification will provide delivery instructions. All film delivery will be digital.

ATTENDING THE FESTIVAL - FF encourages all selected filmmakers to participate in the festival. I will include full details of ticketing arrangements and support offered in any notification of acceptance into the festival.

SUBMISSION FORMAT - We only accept online screeners.

So that you know, a short film means SHORT. Please keep shorts under 20 and ideally under 15 minutes.

All films must have been completed after the 1st of January 2023 and must not be available online or on DVD/VOD for public viewing. Finally, features should be a minimum of a UK premiere, and short films must not have screened in London before our August dates. We categorise feature films at over 60 minutes.
54 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Chris Cronin

    Great atmosphere. Great communication. The team behind FrightFest really know what they are doing.

    My first feature premiered at FrightFest this year and I couldn't have been happier with the experience. The audience is a mix of filmmakers, press, and genuine horror fans. Once you've screened at the festival you can sense immediately what the horror community will think of your film going forward. Later it's the press' involvement that propels the film into future festivals. It's a great system.

    I wish I could have networked more between film screenings as the schedule is packed but the filmmakers lunch more than made up for it. As part of the 'First Blood' strand, I can say they really champion new talent here.

    I hope to have the chance to screen there again in the future.

    October 2023
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  • Duncan Falconer

    I was unfortunately unable to attend when my short film, Inhabit, showed in this year’s short film showcase, but the Frightfest team couldn’t have been more helpful leading up to the date. Communication was amazing throughout from the whole team. They were there for any questions I had, and had really good advice and information whenever I needed it. I could not rate this festival higher, and hope that I’m able to enter again, and actually get along to enjoy the event! Great team, great festival!

    September 2023
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  • Nicholas Vince

    I've been going to FrightFest regularly since 2012, occasionally standing on the red carpet as an actor in one of the films. Honestly, I regard myself as part of the FrightFest family, so this was where I really wanted to premiere my film.

    This was my first year as a writer/director of a film and I couldn't have been happier with the response from the audience, and the support from the FrightFest team.

    The communication was clear and they responded to questions regarding seating - not just in my film - quickly.

    The film makers lunch was a great experience. If you're able to do so, I do recommend getting to the quiz night on the Wednesday. This is a great chance to meet other film makers and the audience. (Get there an hour or so before the advertised time to introduce yourself to Paul and the host.)

    September 2023
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  • Tony Reames

    We had the honor of screening our film this year, and this was the BEST crowd and festival and venue and experience imaginable. There is a reason why this one is sooooo popular. Could not be more thrilled to be a part.

    September 2023
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  • Aaron Truss

    Without a doubt, one of the most fun and engaging genre film festivals out there. I've attended 2 years in a row, once as producer and then as a director. EVERYONE is so lovely and welcoming in the circus that is FrightFest. This is like a new holidays season and I'm eternally grateful that my career started here.

    Sending lots of the love to the team who put this on every year. I honestly don't know how you do it!

    September 2023
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