Haunted House FearFest is about grass-roots independent filmmaking. Celebrating the crack of bone and spill of blood. We aim to bring independent filmmaking to the City of Bradford and scare the crap out of them. But for this, we need to invite filmmakers with a twisted mind and a mean streak to join us.

We want to share our love of horror and all of its sub-genres including; Giallo, Über violence, Monsters, Psychos and Supernatural. From nerve-shredding drama to blunt force trauma. Any film, including music videos, experimental and documentaries, as long as it features terror and blood – We want it!

The next live event is scheduled to take place in March 2021. But the event will also take place online with XERB.TV - details will follow as the global situation unfolds.

As a thank-you, all entrants will receive a complimentary copy of Anthony Straeger's 'Creating Success with your Submissions'. This booklet provided valuable information that gives you and your film the best chance of success when submitted to this or any other festival.

The BEST OF THE FESTIVAL will receive the coveted GRIM REAPER AWARD. All of the main and additional category winners will receive a certificate and laurel.

Main category winners will also be given a review on IMDB.

Awards & Prizes

BEST OF THE FESTIVAL: One film will receive the horribly good 'GRIM REAPER AWARD'.

CATEGORY WINNERS: Will be sent an eCertificate (PDF’s) and will receive a review on IMDB. Categories are:

Under 05 minutes (up to 5)
Under 10 minutes (5-10)
Under 15 minutes (10-15)
Under 20 minutes (15-20)
Under 60 minutes (20-60)
Feature Films (+60)

ADDITIONAL AWARDS: The winner will be sent an eCertificate (PDF) and wining laurel. Categories are:

Best Director
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Music
Best Script
Best SFX (Make-up or CGI)
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Comedy
Best Animation
Jury Awards
Audience Award

THE UNUSUAL SUSPECTS: Will receive a Winners laurel.

Quality Kill
Most Gore
Meanest Villain
Biggest Scare

All Laurels and certificates will be sent as PNG files.

All runners-up, semi-finalists, nominated and selected can purchase a certificate through the website.

Rules & Terms

PLEASE READ ALL RULES AND TERMS BEFORE SUBMITTING

Our focus is on independent films that are self-produced and financed. If you are having any kind of premiere with us, please let us know.

When submitting your project, make sure you apply to the right category. Our starting point for judging films is by length. If placed in the wrong category, it will be rejected.

There are NO restrictions on when your film was completed or where it was previously screened. Anyone may enter this competition. If your project is not in English, please EMBED SUBTITLES in your screening file.

Make sure your film is available to download in the highest quality possible, preferably via FilmFreeway or Vimeo. If you wish to send your film on a USB stick, it will NOT be returned, unless you send a Stamp addressed envelop.

We accept no responsibility for illegal submissions under any circumstances. Please check you are authorised to submit the film, and that it is not subject to any litigation or under threat of litigation. If you have a distributor, make sure they agree to allow the film to be submitted. Each submitter must possess all of the legal right and clearances to the submission.

The submitter gives permission for HHFF to use stills, titles, copy, and/or information from the film. We also encourage accepted filmmakers to do their own promotion of the festival on social media. This benefits us all.

Submitters agree to HHFF holding additional exhibition screening if selected or win. Screening selections are at the sole discretion of the festival judges. All decisions are final.

Anyone from any country can take part in this competition. Parental consent must be provided to any entrant under the age of 18.

We do not offer screening fees under any circumstances.

The overall winner (if attending) will be presented with their award on Saturday evening.

All submitters are invited to attend. Admission is free as we are trying to build an audience and festival for the future. We cannot pay for travel or accommodation. If you decided to attend we will endeavour to make your stay as much fun as possible.

You may withdraw your submission at any time, but there are no refunds.

Requests for FULL FEE WAIVERS will be denied. We offer a discounted rate to films we invite to submit. As festivals go, our entry fees are reasonable.

By submitting you (the entrant/submitter/filmmaker) agrees that you have read, understand and will comply will all of the Rules and Terms stated in items above.
23 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Ray Kermani

    Haunted House FearFest is a great festival!

    April 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Only just seen this. Thanks Ray and hope the Lockdown has been a source of inspiration.

  • Michael Fausti

    Fantastic festival with a great host who knows how to treat filmmakers. Excellent communication throughout and the festival has a good social media presence. Well worth submitting to.

    February 2020
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    Response from festival:

    It was great to have you in attendance and appreciate your kind words.

  • Geoff Harmer

    Such a cool event! We're so happy to have been selected!

    January 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Geoff and thanks for being a part of it.

  • MÓNICA MATEO

    Great Festival! I would have liked to have attended.
    Thanks for all!!

    December 2019
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    Response from festival:

    Wonderful film with a wonderful actor. Thank you for being part of it.

  • Lisa Ovies

    Such a cool concept for a horror screening! So grateful to have been selected! Sad we weren’t able to attend but would definitely submit again

    December 2019
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    Response from festival:

    We were sorry too. The ghosts moved out for the weekend as it was a bit scary for them.