Hellifax Horror Fest takes place 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 is for the fans, and for the filmmakers who deliver innovative and compelling stories.

Hellifax is a non-profit society in its 4th year. Our main focus is horror films while we also screen sci-fi, action and thriller. We are proud of our great reviews, our awesome advisory board and our strong programming.

We're filmmakers ourselves, and we're doing this for the love of genre films. We aim to showcase the next generation of filmmakers and celebrate the established stars.

The festival has three components:

Feature film competition:
-Horror, sci-fi, action and thriller feature films 45 minutes or longer can be submitted. A cash prize and trophy for the jury winner.

Short film competition:
-Horror, sci-fi, action and thriller short films 25 minutes or less can be submitted. A cash prize and trophy for the jury winner.

Script competition:
We're ready for your horror, sci-fi, action and thriller genre scripts (maximum length of 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 five finalists. The top five and the grand prize winner will be announced at the awards ceremony and be available on the Hellifax website (if the screenwriter agrees). Laurels will be provided to the semi-finalists and finalists.
-The grand prize winner will receive $100 (CDN) cash award and their script will be sent to two prominent genre companies who will read it and we present a recorded live script read by professional actors.

In 2022 we screened seven features and thirty-five short films over three days along with a live table read of the winning script.

I n 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 and overall 24 awards were given out. We screened four features and 48 shorts in front of live audiences during an October weekend. We also presented a collection of short films online for Christmas.

In 2020 we screened 52 short films in five programs online, selected from submissions received from over 30 countries. The festival was free and we had audience attendance from around the world.

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

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

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

Every winner will receive an award laurel graphic.

Best Feature Film and Best Short Film will each receive a $200 (CDN) cash prize and a trophy.

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Screenplay category: all scripts will be read by industry professionals, the top 15 will receive a semi-finalist laurel, the top 5 will be announced at Fest (finalists) and winner gets: $100 (CDN) cash prize, their script will be sent to two prominent genre companies who will read it and a recorded live script read by professional actors.

-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 really needs to be strong to 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.

- After submitting to our festival, we will add you to our newsletter list. You can request not to be added.

- Filmmakers agree to be added to our newsletter unless they opt out. We do not share your email address or data with anyone.

- Have a great day and we wish you the best of luck in your festival run.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Antonio Rotunno

    It was really cool to have our short "It Got Bloody" premiering in Canada at Hellifax Horror Fest sharing the screen with diverse works!

    November 2022
  • François Ricard-Sheard

    What a honor to have won best Monster! The whole purpose of the film was to make the creature - Jérémie Gariépy Ferland- Shine! The creature is at the very center of my movie and I am so grateful to Jeremie's dedication !!!!!

    November 2022
  • Alfredo Uzeta

    We loved Hellifax and will send our next shortfilms :)

    October 2022
  • Lisa Ovies

    Great festival and experience!! So grateful to have been a part of it this year and truly hope to play with you all again! Thank you

    October 2022
  • Conall Pendergast

    Great communication. I was happy to participate, and wished I could have attended!

    October 2022