For all fans of horror and filmmaking 2026, will be bigger and better than before! We're playing two days in Hollywood. With star-studded premieres and Hollywood career celebrations (names to be announced shortly). We have our own coffee bar the entire weekend - for networking and relaxing between (and during) events - and we also plan to honor a celebrity star with the prestigious PRICE AWARD and raise funds for charity in the process.

Past honorees & special guests include JOHN LANDIS, SID HAIG, JOE DANTE, LANCE HENRIKSEN, DICK MILLER, STUART GORDON, DEE WALLACE, VICTORIA PRICE, KEVIN TENNEY, ALAN HOWARTH, ANULKA, BAI LING, JAKE BUSEY, LEW TEMPLE, BILL MOSELY, RICHARD BAND, MARY SCHEER, ROBERT 'CORPSY' RHINE, VERNON WELLS, JAMES KAREN, BEVERLY RANDOLPH, JEWEL SHEPARD, ROLFE KANEFSKY and CASSANDRA PETERSON, to name but a few.

More details will be announced in the coming months. All entrants get our free bi-monthy newsletter too.

Founder/Director
Hollywood Horrorfest

Awards & Prizes

Select WINNERS will be offered the opportunity of having their work distributed worldwide (non-exclusive) through our unique partnership with FilmFest Distribution (see www.filmfestdistribution.com for more details).

Rules & Terms

Our rules are very basic but necessary. Please read all of the rules thoroughly before you enter.

1. Entry Rules
We accept ANY films, produced ANY year, in ANY category you feel is grindhouse or exploitation-genre related (horror, action, sci-fi, martial arts, animation, film noir, teen comedy, erotic, blacksploitation etc).

Submit the film/screenplay digitally through FilmFreeway exclusively. You may have multiple entries. We do not offer a waiver fee. Entry fees are non-refundable. We do not return submission entries. All selections are final.

2. Subtitles
Any foreign language films must have english subtitles.

3. Formats
For the selection process a digital screener must be submitted via FilmFreeway. Screenplays must be submitted in English as a digital PDF via FilmFreeway.

4. Publicity
We reserve the right to use extracts from submissions for festival publicity and marketing purposes.

5. Awards (incl. but not limited to)
Best of the Fest
Best Feature Film
Best Short Film
Best Horror Comedy
Best Documentary
Best Director
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Production Design
Best Music Score
Best Make-Up
Best Special Effects
Best Unproduced Screenplay (Feature)
Best Unproduced Screenplay (Short)

6. Legal Terms & Conditions
The film contains no genuine acts of violence or animal cruelty.

7. Once a film is OFFICIALLY SELECTED and the film program has become public, it cannot be withdrawn by the filmmaker.

Entrant warrants that they have the full & uncontested legal right (incl. full rights to the use of the film’s music) to enter their film/screenplay work to Hollywood Horrorfest and that the said work is not subject to nor threatened by any litigation.

Entrant holds Hollywood Horrorfest its owners, management, juries, subsidiaries, agents, sponsors, affiliates, and etc. harmless from any and all claims of liability resulting from my entry. Entrants agree to defend and indemnify Hollywood Horrorfest, its directors, officers, employees, contractors, consultants, volunteers, judges and agents against any and all claims, demands, actions, or lawsuits arising out of or related to the screening of the submitted film, performance of the music, or displaying of the art.

Hollywood Horrorfest has the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to change the festival date or location, if deemed necessary or unavoidable, to ensure a successful festival. In such a case the festival will try its best to continue as normal, just at another venue/date TBD or operate online (partially or fully) if deemed necessary or unavoidable.

156 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Jennifer LeBeau

    I wished I could have attended in person, but it was great to be part of this festival! Communication was great, helpful and kind. Thank you for the recognition, hope to attend in person soon!

    February 2026
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  • Leiter Daniellson

    Thanks for the recognition. Well worth it!

    January 2026
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  • Hala Dika

    Although I was not able to attend, I was very happy about the honorable mention, because I respect the festival. I hope to try them again in the future.

    October 2025
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  • Ashland Thomas

    I am sorry I didn't get to attend, but thank you for giving my script for Metal Show an Honorable Mention. Miles seems like a great guy and I hear a lot of great things about Hollywood Horrorfest!

    October 2025
    Helpful
  • Michael Klug

    While my writing partner and I were unable to attend, we were thrilled to have won the Best Horror Christmas Screenplay for our feature script, "Santa Claus is Coming to Town!" Great communication (always the BIGGEST win for any festival) and great support. Thank you to Miles and the Hollywood Horrorfest team! :)

    October 2025
    Helpful