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 Performer
Best Performer
Best Ensemble
Best Script
Best Cinematography
Best Score
Best Editing
Best Effects
Scariest Film
Best Monster/Villain

Audience Favourite Feature Film (audience vote)
Audience Favorite Short Film (audience vote)

Every winner will receive an award laurel graphic.

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

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Screenplay category:

All scripts will be read by industry professionals, the top 5 will receive a semi-finalist laurel, the top 2 will be announced at Fest.

The Winner gets a $100 (CAD) cash prize, and their script will be sent to two prominent genre companies who will read it. The winning script will also have a recorded live script read by professional actors on Sunday morning during the Festival!

The First Runner-Up gets $50 (CAD) and a recorded live script read on Sunday, also!

-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
  • I had an excellent experience at Hellifax! My film Blueberries for Iris played as part of the shorts programme and the whole team was extremely communicative and supportive of my work. Despite not being able to attend in person, I still felt included. Thank you Hellifax!

    November 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Keep making more incredible films, Zoe! As we grow, we can hopefully get you here to join us in person!

    Your use of barren landscape as visual metaphor to bring us into the harrowing journey deep within the psyche of the protagonist was amazing!

  • Mind Leech

    Thank you so much Hellifax!

    October 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank YOU so much for such a messy and fun romp! Such a wonderful cast - we almost thought for a sec that nobody should *meet their fate ;)

  • Lisa Ovies

    Another fantastic experience with you guys, thanks so much! Hope to be lucky enough to play with you again one day

    October 2023
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    Response from festival:

    We are fans of your filmmaking, Lisa! SLEEP TIGHT plays on so many levels, with so many layers. We were happy to screen it, and the audience loved it!

  • Brandon Lorimer

    An astounding team of kind and supportive professionals in the Halifax film community! Was so honoured to screen my short DWELLING and have the opportunity to deliver a Q&A. Hellifax is a valuable part of not only the horror film scene in Canada but of the independent film community at large.

    October 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Not only was your film well-received, but the audience loved the Q&A you did, Brandon! Thanks again for being so engaging, and also for sharing your great film! See you next year!

  • Scott Clifford Evans

    This festival, and its team, is stellar! They showed my short film "Murderkino: Geisterklo" and our communication was suberb: friendly and professional. Though I was unable to attend, Tanya and her team were incredibly supportive and their passion for showing horror films, of any size of budget, is admirable and endearing. My film was even awarded "Best Monster" for...well...you've got to see it. It's a weird flick. Filmmakers are lucky to show at this fun and quality festival. I can't wait for the next one so I can attend.

    October 2023
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    Response from festival:

    We would be thrilled if you would come! Thanks for the feedback, we do truly enjoy embracing the weird!