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 2022. But the event will also take place online with XERB.TV - details will follow as the global situation unfolds.

OFFICIAL IMDB QUALIFYING AWARD
https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0027962/2021/1

ONLINE PARTNERS
https://xerb.tv/channel/hauntedhousefearfest/virtual-events

As a thank-you to all entrants, we are giving you a complimentary copy of Anthony Straeger's 'Creating Success with your Submissions'. This booklet provided you with valuable information to give 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 & additional category winners will receive a certificate and laurel.

All 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' in recognition of being the OVERALL BEST OF THE FEST!

MAIN CATEGORY WINNERS: Will be receive an eCertificate (PDFs), Winners Laurels (PNG) and a review on IMDB. The 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 CATEGORY AWARDS: The winner will be sent an eCertificate (PDF) and Winners Laurel. The 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

THE UNUSUAL SUSPECTS: Will receive a Winner's laurel.

Quality Kill(s)
Most Gore
Meanest/Best Villain
Biggest Shock/Scare

All semi-finalists and officially 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 correct and appropriate 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. Even if it already online, you may enter your film.

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, do so 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 do our best 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 as it is not fair under any circumstances that exceptions be made when filmmakers have paid an appropriate rate. We offer a discounted rate to films we invite to submit. As festivals go, our entry fees are reasonable.

By submitting to the festival, you agree that you have read, understand and will comply with all Terms & Condition as stated in the items above.
41 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Paul Christian Glenn

    We had a fantastic experience at this festival. The directors were communicative, enthusiastic, and took genuine interest in our short film, The Walls Alike and Madding. Despite the event being moved online (due to the pandemic), the festival made sure we had ample opportunity to socialize with other filmmakers, and the entire process was smooth. I recommend this festival to other filmmakers without reservation.

    July 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Paul for the kind words. We have all experienced difficulties in the last 15 months and trying to keep the festival, dream and ambition alive is hard. We were pleased to have you as part of the HHFF. Cheers.

  • Anaëlle Morf

    Thank you for this opportunity. I felt honored to have two short films screening this year. I was glad to have a free pass to watch all the films. Being able to comment on each film and make contact with the audience and other filmmakers was a great idea. I can't wait to be part of the next edition, as a guest or a spectator. I totally recommend this festival. Cheers!

    April 2021
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  • Alex Montilla

    Everyone was very nice and communicative. Loved the films I saw. Happy to have been a part of the festival. So bummed Covid made us go virtual this year, but it was still a really great experience.

    April 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Alex - Let's hope COVID won't be the death of us all!

  • Matt Brothers

    A fantastic online festival in a very tough year, thanks so much for awarding "The Devil's Dice" with the Best Under 5 Minutes. Here's to a more live experience next time around!

    April 2021
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    Response from festival:

    It was a great pleasure having you part of the festival... We will try and get back to being live asap.

  • Robert Poller

    Fantastic film festival for horror films and horror themed films! And I think it’s great how they managed too carrying on organising the festival during the pandemic during 2021 as it shows how dedicated they are to host the festival, arranging network meetings and supporting indie filmmakers. I highly recommend this film festival.

    March 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Robert, it was literally hell getting it together but heaven when it arrived.