Established in 2017, the Hollywhut!? Film Festival was founded with a focus on filmmaker networking, collaboration, and giving independent creators the opportunity to showcase their work to a live audience.

On October 10, 2026, the festival returns in terrifying fashion as the Hollywhut!? Horror Film Festival, presented as part of PlastiCon Expo Presents: Hollywood Horror Con at Flippers Cinema in Hollywood, Florida.

The Hollywhut!? Horror Film Festival is a featured attraction of Hollywood Horror Con — combining independent horror cinema, cosplay, vendors, collectibles, and retro horror fandom into one immersive event experience. Filmmakers and fans alike are invited to celebrate horror culture together on the big screen.

Bring your cast, crew, friends, and family to experience your film with a live audience in a real theater environment. Selected films will compete in a judged competition, culminating in our Best of Festival Awards Ceremony at the end of the event.

Awards & Prizes

Best of Awards of Festival will be announced at the conclusion of the event, including the All Valley Under 18 Film Winner

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Hollywhut!? Horror Film Festival 2025 Winners

The 2025 Hollywhut!? Horror Film Festival celebrated independent horror filmmaking with awards recognizing outstanding performances, directing, cinematography, and audience favorites.

Best Actor

Winner (Tie): Peter Mastne as Brian — Enter the Room
Winner (Tie): Mansour Daiechi — Corpus Ruptus
Runner-Up: Anthony Hernandez — Play Doctor

Best Actress

Winner: Blaque Pearl as Tammy — Night Shift at Ned’s
Runner-Up: Victoria Bloyer — Play Doctor

Best Villain

Winner: Luke Steely as The Trucker — Night Shift at Ned’s
Runner-Up: Anthony Hernandez — Play Doctor

Best Music Video

Winner: The Socouyant
Directed by Michael Garcia & Jeron Bailey

Best Cinematography

Winner: Corpus Ruptus
Runner-Up (Tie): The Creep
Runner-Up (Tie): Clayman

Best Director

Winner: Ghoul Within a Cut
Runner-Up: Night Shift at Ned’s

Best South Florida Film

Winner: Play Doctor
Runner-Up: Harpy
Runner-Up: Ghoul Within a Cut

Best Feature Film

Winner: The RIP MAN

Jury Award — Best Film

Winner: Night Shift at Ned’s
Runner-Up: Halloween 7.5
3rd Place: Play Doctor
Honorable Mention: The Clay Man

Audience Award — Best Film

Winner: Harpy

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Hollywhut!? Horror Film Festival 2024 Winners

Best Actor
Winner: Daniele Marotta — Script

Best Villain
Winner: Luis Alfredo Sikath as Don Marco — Caza
Runner-Up: Owen Llewelyn as The RIP Man — RIP Man

Best Actress
Winner: August Porter as Abigail Freight — RIP Man
Runner-Up: Monica Zanforlin — Script

Best Horror Comedy
Winner: Meat Lovers

Best Final Girl
Winner: Diana Garle as Danielle — They’re Real
Runner-Up: Gabrielle Alexander as Amber — NOMAN

Best Cinematography
Winner: Valley of Souls

Best South Florida Film
Winner: Caza
Runner-Up: NOMAN

Best Director
Winner: Piero Cannata — Script
Runner-Up: Allen Martindale — Meat Lovers

Hannibal the Cannibal Award
Winner: Final Ingredient

Audience Award
Winner: SOAP

Jury Award — Best Film
Winner: Script

Rules & Terms


The 2026 season of the Hollywhut!? Horror Film Festival is dedicated entirely to horror cinema.
All horror subgenres are accepted, including psychological horror, slasher, supernatural, creature features, sci-fi horror, horror-comedy, experimental horror, thriller, and dark fantasy.
Films must be submitted by the filmmaker or an authorized representative with permission to enter the work into the festival.
Entrants retain all ownership and rights to their films and submitted materials.
By submitting, filmmakers grant the Hollywhut!? Horror Film Festival permission to use trailers, clips, still images, posters, titles, and promotional materials from the submitted film for festival marketing, social media, press, and promotional purposes.
Films selected for screening may be exhibited during the festival event on October 10, 2026.
Submission fees are non-refundable.
The festival reserves the right to determine eligibility and programming decisions.
Selected films may be considered for awards presented during the festival’s closing ceremony.
3 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • John Alan Hulbert

    Felt honored to be an official selection for my short film, thank you so much for hosting my project alongside so many other wonderful contributions! Much love!

    October 2025
    Helpful
  • Harry Waldman

    Thanks for screening "Bay For Blood" and nominating the film for Best Actor, Best Villain and Best Final Girl! I wasn't able to attend the event in person, but was impressed with the level of communication and professionalism provided. I had a very good experience with Hollywhut Gaming, Sci-Fi & Fantasy Film Festival and will definitely consider submitting future projects to this festival.

    November 2024
    Helpful
  • Chris Krider

    Super fun festival and a great convention!

    August 2024
    Helpful