Grindhouse Nights combines the best in independent horror, exploitation and sci-fi films with amazing live entertainment. Our event is designed to showcase the filmmakers, and give them an opportunity to screen their films in front of local fans and to mix, mingle and network in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.

Our 10th Anniversary is coming in 2022 and we're looking forward to our biggest and best event yet.

We focus primarily on horror and exploitation type films, but we will also review and accept sci-fi, fantasy or dark drama at the panel's discretion.

We also have live entertainment throughout the day, for example, burlesque dancers, sideshow performers, singers, bands, etc. We also have costumed entertainers and our models, The Grindhouse Girls, mixing and mingling with the crowd to bring the fans a truly unique experience that is unlike any other film festival. We're proud of saying, "You never know what you're going to see at Grindhouse Nights!"

We HIGHLY encourage the filmmakers to be in attendance if at all possible. One of the main features of our event is the Q&A that takes place after each film, and the ability for filmmakers and fans to mix, mingle and network with fans and fellow filmmakers.

Awards & Prizes

In honor of our 10th anniversary, coming in 2022, for the first time ever, we will be providing awards in multiple categories:

Best Film
Best Director
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Cinematography
Best Screenplay
Best Editing
Best Visual FX
Best Practical/Makeup FX
Best Sound
Best Score
Best Villain
Best Ensemble
Best Grindhouse Film
Best Foreign Film

and more!!

Rules & Terms

PLEASE MAKE NOTE OF THESE TERMS, THERE ARE NO EXCEPCTIONS!

1. Submissions must be accompanied by the applicable submission fee PER ENTRY and a completed online entry form. All films must be in English or have English subtitles at the time submitted.

2. Films must be submitted via FilmFreeway and a downloadable link must be provided either via FilmFreeway or via an alternate method.

3. Films are shown via digital files during the Festival and we do NOT screen films on Blu-Ray, HD-CAM, or DCP. If you are unable or unwilling to provide us your film as a digital file for exhibition, DO NOT SUBMIT your film.

4. Grindhouse Nights Film Festival reserves the right to screen submitted films during the event.

5. Films must be the original work of the applicants. If a film is based upon another person’s life or upon a book or other underlying work, applicant(s) must secure any necessary rights to make such adaptations. However, it is not necessary to submit the adaptation rights agreements to the Festival. Neither the Festival nor its jurists investigates or attests to the authenticity of an applicant’s statement of authorship or rights secured. By entering the competition, you represent that you have secured all necessary rights.

6. Films are reviewed for acceptance and awards by a jury and all decisions are final. This festival caters primarily to filmmakers and fans in the NY/NJ/PA/CT area, and it is highly recommended that the filmmakers be in attendance where possible. Part of the attraction of our festival is the Q&A session that we conduct after each film, and the interaction between the filmmakers and fans. Of course, we do accept exceptional films from outside this area, and we have screened films from all over the United States and International films as well. We just want to make it clear that we do favor local filmmakers. Again, we do accept and screen films from all over the world, but we like to focus on local filmmakers when possible.

Please note that we are unable to grant requests for fee waivers, so kindly do not request a waiver. We feel that our submission fees are very reasonable, and if we granted all of the waiver requests we receive, we would not be able to run the event. We hope you understand.

If there are ever any questions about this policy, please do not hesitate to send an email to grindhousenights@gmail.com and we will respond ASAP.
21 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Sam Quinn & Connor McLean

    These folx were so fun and pleasant to communicate with! Thanks for the award and kind words:)

    May 2022
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  • Skip Shea

    Great festival! I'm very happy to have been a part of it and will definitley submit again! Thanks for having us!

    May 2022
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  • Brooks Wieszczek

    Had a great time at the Grindhouse Nights Film Festival! Todd and the other staff members were great during the event, as well as during communications leading up to the event. Filmmakers were invited to take part in a Q&A session with the audience; everyone was really welcoming and encouraging. Great experience.

    May 2022
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  • Paul Kelly

    Submitting to the Grindhouse Nights Film Festival was a wonderful experience. I encourage all filmmakers to submit their films to this phenomenal festival. The professionalism of the organizers is outstanding.

    May 2022
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  • Roberto Lopez

    I had a great time at Groundhouse Nights.

    May 2022
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