From the makers of GenreBlast comes a down and dirty weekend celebration of grindhouse, exploitation, cult, underground, and midnight cinema.

Emanating from the Palace Theater in downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee, our aim above all is to have fun, have a few drinks and enjoy some great movies.

We're looking for features, shorts, fake trailers, and grindhouse screenplays mainly in the categories of Midnight/Cult, Grindhouse/Exploitation and Extreme Horror. Show us what you got!

We have all of the essentials: a kick-ass theater, a sweet bar, and your films! Plus access to restaurants and pubs in the downtown Chattanooga area. Network with fellow filmmakers and revel in all the juicy, gory, groovy cinematic goodness we're putting together.

Awards & Prizes

Awards for the following categories:

Plaques/certificates:

Best Feature Film
Best Short Film
Best WTF Film
Best Micro Short
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Director
Best FX
Best Cinematography
Best Score
Best Screenplay
Best Editing
Best Local Film
Best Fake Trailer

and, our top honor:

The FaceGrinder Trophy (spirit of the fest award)

Plus:

Sponsor swag, fest t-shirts, etc...

The winner(s) of the screenplay competition will have their script read live at the fest by a cast of crazy actors. It will be streamed live and also recorded for posterity. Screenwriters are encouraged to attend and network.

Rules & Terms

Short films are 59 mins. or less.

Feature films are 60 mins. and up.

No waivers. Please don't ask. Email requests for a waiver will be deleted without being read. Thanks for understanding.

All submission content must be owned entirely by you. No copyrighted content unless you have paid to use it.

No refunds for submissions, so if you have any questions, make sure you ask them BEFORE you submit.

All films not in English must be submitted with English subtitles. We don't like dubbing, so don't even bother with that.

That's pretty much it. Email us if you have any questions that don't have anything to do with asking for a waiver.

Shock us, scare us, make us laugh. Do your worst.

Do you have what it takes to be a part of Chattanooga's coolest, baddest film fest?

Prove it.
20 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Eric Poe

    This was my first year at Grindsploitation Film Fest, and I was very excited for the line-up of films. I was not disappointed, at all. Every block of films was fantastic.

    The organizers were great, very welcoming, and put on an amazing show. I could tell the festival organizer, Chad Farmer's, heart was completely into the grindhouse/exploitation videos that made up the fest.

    The other attendees, and film-makers were amazing, as well. I met some wonderful people, and had some inspiring conversations with so many. So much talent there.

    I would be remiss if I didn't mention the venue. The Palace Theater was perfect: friendly, open, inviting. Thanks to Rose, Keith, and everyone associated with the theater.

    Last but not least, I want to recognize the Un-Official drink of Grindsploitation, the "Dickle Pickle" (name coined by Chad, himself.)

    March 2020
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  • Jeff Wedding

    A handful of our cast & crew from TENNESSEE GOTHIC were fortunate enough to be able to attend Grindsploitation 2020, and to say we had a blast is an understatement.

    From the moment we arrived we were greeted with hospitality and excitement by festival director Chad Farmer and his team including, but not limited to, Nathan Ludwig (Lead Programmer) and Rose Cox (Venue Rep). We walked away (sadly) having forged many new friendships with some outstanding artists, and we certainly look forward to having the opportunity to return down the road.

    March 2020
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  • Kevin Beauchamp

    Grindsploitation Film Fest is the real deal.

    Even though we couldn’t attend, Chad and Nathan kept the communication flowing freely.

    No pretentious b*******. No ego. No attitudes.

    These guys care not only for the films but the filmmakers as well, which is immensely gratifying and welcome.

    We will always submit to this fest. Highly, highly recommended.

    March 2020
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  • josh stephenson

    I attended the 2nd annual Grindsploitation Film Fest and I cannot begin to express how much fun I had and how welcoming everyone was. I literally made friends and future contacts from everyone in attendance. Hosts/programmers were ridiculously welcoming and accommodating to everyone. And regardless of all that positivity - their efforts felt genuine and sincere which is the best part. I drove from New Orleans, LA to Chattanooga, TN and will do it again in a heartbeat for next year. Easily the best fest experience I've ever had.

    March 2020
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  • Jacob Gillman

    Unfortunately we weren't able to make it out for the festival ourselves, but Chad and Nathan did a great job producing the event and staying in contact with us. They chose some really cool and unique pieces to feature. Overall, this is a cool festival run by chill guys. Highly recommended.

    March 2020
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