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In 2020 we screened 52 short films in five programs, selected from submissions received from over 30 countries. For 2021 we made the festival bigger and better by including horror features and adding small cash prizes for Best Feature, Best Short and Best Script. We screened four features and 48 shorts in front of live audiences during an October weekend.

We want to screen your best indie horror films! Send us your slashers, monster movies, supernatural, zombie, psychological, found-footage, horror-comedy and everything in-between.

Hellifax Horror Fest is a third-year festival in the seaside city of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Therein lives a contingent of die-hard horror fans with a taste for blood (in film, that is). This festival has been created for those fans, and for the filmmakers who deliver innovative and compelling stories.

We're filmmakers ourselves, and we're doing this for the love of the horror genre. We aim to showcase the next generation of horror filmmakers to a warped and wonderful audience.

The festival has 3 components:

Feature film competition:
-Horror feature films 45 minutes or longer can be submitted.

Short film competition:
-Horror short films 25 minutes or less can be submitted.

Script competition:
We're ready for your horror genre scripts (maximum length - 25 pages).
-Each script will receive brief reader notes (if requested).
-The Hellifax jury will select the top 15 semi-finalists from the submissions, followed by the top 5 finalists. The top five and the grand prize winner will be announced at the awards ceremony and be available on the Hellifax website (although it's not mandatory - the writer can choose not to make their script available on the site). Laurels will be provided to the top 5 finalists.
-The grand prize winner will receive $100 (CDN) cash award.

Awards & Prizes

Hellifax Horror Fest is committed to recognizing filmmakers in a number of categories, including:

Audience Favorite Film (audience vote)
Audience Favorite Film - Runner Up (audience vote)

Juried Awards for both feature and shorts categories:
Best Film
Best Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Ensemble
Best Script
Best Cinematography
Best Score
Best Editing
Best Practical Effects
Best Visual Effects
Scariest Film
Best Monster/Villain
Best Poster

Every winner will receive an award laurel graphic.
Best Feature Film and Best Short Film will each receive a $100 (CDN) cash prize and a trophy.

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Screenplay category: the top five will receive an award laurel graphic. The first place script will receive a $100 (CDN) cash award.

Rules & Terms

-Feature films exceeding 45 minutes are eligible.

-Short films up to 25 minutes long are eligible (please note - when the runtime exceeds 15 minutes it's less likely that a short film will be programmed).

-Entries must be in English or subtitled/dubbed in English.

-Filmmakers may submit as many entries as they wish. Each entry must have a separate entry form and fee.

-Submission fees are non-refundable.

-All films are eligible, even if your film is publicly available online, has screened at other film festivals or is currently being distributed. We do not restrict submissions in any way.

-It is the responsibility of the filmmaker to clear all rights before your film screens at the festival. By submitting you agree: I shall indemnify and hold harmless Hellifax Horror Fest from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.

-Submission guidelines for Hellifax Horror Fest are subject to change. Hellifax Horror Fest reserves the right to rule on all issues not expressly covered in these guidelines.

-When you submit, we add you to our newsletter so you will get updates every once in a while. If you want to be added, send us an email @ info@hellifax.com. If you do not want to be added when you submit, let us know @ info@hellifax.com.
15 Reviews
Overall Rating
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  • James Furlong

    The crew at Hellifax are professionals, through and through. They’re very communicative, all their announcements were on time, and really made the whole experience feel very welcoming for someone like me. I truly enjoyed the experience and will absolutely enter their festival again. Definitely worth it.

    November 2021
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  • CARLOS ALEX CENI

    Great communication, Glad to have been considered as semi-finalist with my short script "THE DOOR". Thanks!!

    November 2021
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  • Phillip Dishon

    Hellifax is one of the finest horror festivals filmmakers can take part it! Everyone involved made participants feel welcomed and important! And thank you for choosing my short screenplay “Everyone” as a finalist! It was a true honor!

    November 2021
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  • Aaron Morgan

    We can’t thank this festival enough for all their support and encouragement. I highly recommend submitting.

    November 2021
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  • Nina Romain

    Many thanks Hellifax Horror Fest for screening my microshort! A real honour and just wish I could have travelled over from London to meet everyone in person - next time for sure!

    November 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much Nina and we look forward to more from you.