Since the early 2000s, HorrorFest has been scaring the pants off of horror lovers in Southern Utah. This beloved fest has certainly evolved since making its debut in 2002. What started as a showcase for legendary horror films of the past in a theatrical setting has swelled into a 4-day showcase of independent horror films–shorts and features–from all around the world.

Sure, we still throw films of the past into the mix–after all, it’s the old guards who paved the way for the current horror climate–but this is ultimately a springboard for contemporary horror storytellers from across the globe.

So…If you’ve crafted a film of the horror variety that you’re proud of, submit it! Additionally, HorrorFest International hosts a screenplay competition so you can send your short and feature scripts in as well.

Our team of expert horror curating programmers will sift through all the terrifying goodness you can dish out in an effort to put together the ultimate lineup for the spine-tingling festivities that await you in fall of 2025.

HorrorFest International is a 4-day in-person festival experience held at the historic Electric Theater in St. George, UT on September 17th-20th. This is a single-screen venue with a whole lot of character and our programming team is fiercely committed to putting together the most terrifying of lineups.

What’s more, St. George is the perfect location for this annual genre-based fest. Not only is this a lovely town with lovely people but it’s also surrounded by some of the most breathtaking scenic locales in the U.S., including the likes of Zion Canyon National Park. Trust us; When you come for a visit, you’ll want to shoot your next movie here.

In addition to a lineup comprised of horror-inspired greatness from all around the world, HorrorFest International will also offer up retrospective screenings, filmmaker Q&As, industry panels, networking opportunities, a live script read, live music, a costume competition, horror trivia, an opening night reception, a closing night awards ceremony, and plenty of heart-stopping surprises.

Of course, it all starts with you, the fearless storyteller! Our submission portal goes live on Friday, December 13th, 2024 (That’s right…Friday the 13th!!) so be sure to submit your horror-based shorts, features, and screenplays! No matter where you’re from and no matter how terrifying or edgy your film is, we want to see what you’ve got! Most importantly, we want you to scare the hell out of us because, at the end of the day, that’s what horror is all about!

Submit to HorrorFest International today!

The 2025 HorrorFest International Film Festival is brought to you by the Film and Media Alliance of Southern Utah (FMASU), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is designed to champion, inspire, and educate filmmaking talent as well as to preserve film history and the theatrical experience. This must-attend 4-day festival will take place at the historic Electric Theater in St. George, UT in the fall of 2025.

Learn more at www.fmasu.com/horrorfest

Awards & Prizes

Submitting your film is not a guarantee of selection. All the official selections and award winners will be listed on our website www.fmasu.com/horrorfest. Trophies and/or certificates will be awarded to the best of the best in various categories. You do not need to submit your film more than once as we will place it in the category that we feel is best for programming.

Awards will be chosen by a jury select made up of knowledgeable film industry professionals and experts.

*HorrorFest International Categories & Awards are subject to change.

Past winners include, but categories change each year;

Scariest Film

Best Feature

Best Short

Best Creature Feature

Best Sci-fi/Horror

Best Horror/Comedy

Best Midnight Movie

Best Writing

Best Performance

Best International

Best Ghost Story

Best Direction

Best Production Design

Best Cinematography

Best Action/Horror

Please Note: If your film wins, you can collect the award at the Festival. If you’re unable to attend, awards can be shipped but filmmakers are required to handle the shipping costs. Following the festival, shipping forms will be sent out to those of who couldn’t make the trip out to the 2025 HorrorFest International Film Festival.

Rules & Terms

By submitting your project, you acknowledge that you have read and agreed to all of the following rules and terms. Please thoroughly read the following before submitting your film:

HORRORFEST INTERNATIONAL ENTRY RULES AND REGULATIONS:

1. All film submissions must include a submission fee and a completed online FilmFreeway entry form. Submission waivers are NOT provided.

2. Feature films (45 minutes to 120 minutes) and short films (Under 45 minutes) are accepted provided they're of the Horror|Thriller|SciFi|Dark Drama|Dark Comedy genre varieties. Digital files only!

3. All non-English films must include English subtitles burned in.

4. WIP (Work in Progress) Submissions are accepted, but the filmmaker needs to note this to the HorrorFest programmers.

5. When final films are selected, filmmakers may be contacted for alternative film formats for programming purposes.

6. Films that have screened and or have received awards at other festivals can be submitted provided they adhere to all rules and regulations.

7. Only films that have been completed by October 2022 or newer will be accepted as part of the competition process.

8. Films with distribution may still be eligible for award consideration.

9. HorrorFest International reserves the right to accept, reject, or disqualify any submission at its discretion without a refund. That said, it should be noted that we will watch every film received in its entirety.

10. Not all films selected will necessarily be nominated for awards but filmmakers will be notified either way.

11. HorrorFest International does not maintain ownership of any film submitted but does have the legal right to use images and as much as 30 seconds of footage for current and future festival promotional materials.

12. Film submission entry fees must be paid through the FilmFreeway portal as instructed. Again, we do NOT provide submission waivers.

13. Award winners will be revealed at the HorrorFest International at the awards ceremony at the end of the festival this October.

14. Submission does not guarantee entry into the festival. Filmmakers will be notified whether or not their film has been accepted to HorrorFest International no later than September 27th, 2024.

15. There is no 15th rule

LEGALITY DISCLAIMER:

The filmmaker releases HorrorFest International from any and all liability for damages or destruction of the entered film file. The filmmaker understands that the programmed material will be retained in a secure facility by the festival, and every effort will be taken to protect and control the viewing of this film. The festival assumes no liability whatsoever for theft, copyright violations, or piracy of the entry.

The Filmmaker accepts and understands that the festival will do everything possible to present the film in the best possible manner but the festival is not responsible for any malfunctions during screenings. All entries are carefully pre-screened prior to the public showing to assure that the films are in working order. HorrorFest International assumes no responsibility for any technical difficulties in the presentation of a film at the actual event.

HorrorFest International reserves the complete right to make changes in the program dates and times and to possibly not screen a film, despite it being selected for the festival.

It is the sole responsibility of the filmmaker to obtain the legal use of any and all copyrighted material presented in a film before submitting it to a festival. Again, HorrorFest International is not liable should a filmmaker fail to do so.

RETURNS:

Promotional items and/or any programming materials will not be returned.

All shipping costs are the sole responsibility of the sender.

FINAL NOTE:

BY SUBMITTING THE MATERIAL, I/WE HEREBY AGREE TO DEFEND HORRORFEST INTERNATIONAL, FMASU, ITS EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS, REPRESENTATIVES, AND AFFILIATES FROM ALL LIABILITY, CLAIMS, AND DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE SUBMISSION AND FROM ANY FEES AND EXPENSES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES, THAT ANY OF THEM MAY INCUR IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.

Now, what are you waiting for? Submit a movie! The cinematic terror that is HorrorFest International awaits you!
94 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Matt Warren

    Unfortunately we were unable to attend HorrorFest International in person with our short, The Winding Sheet, but communication with the festival was excellent and the festival organizers run a really tight and professional ship. I know people on the ground IRL who had a great time and the festival organizers were great in providing an update about our screening and our film's response. Would recommend!

    November 2024
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Matt! Thank you so much for the kind words. We were super bummed that you couldn't make it out but we want to thank you again for submitting the film and for all of your support. We can't wait to see what's next from you!

  • Edward Etzkorn

    Very much enjoyed the experience. Judging was fair, communication outstanding.

    November 2024
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Hi Edward! Thank you for the kind words. Our team greatly enjoyed your screenplay! The competition was pretty fierce this year and you were right there in the thick of it. Thank you so much for sending it out way. We're hopeful that someday, it will leap from the page and on to the big screen. Beyond that we certainly look forward to seeing what's next from you.

  • Benjamin Percy

    I first met Adam and John -- the demonic duo behind Horrorfest -- when in line for a midnight screening at Sundance. So it was a nice full circle moment to return to Utah and screen my short film, 13th Night, with them at the historic Electric Theater. The venue is stunning. The town is too -- as the gateway to Bryce and Zion. The (global) selections for the fest were wide-ranging in style and top-shelf in quality, one horror banger after another. The organizers and volunteers are all there to create a positive, community-building event, with Q and A's, discussion groups, lunches and dinners, trivia, social mixers. Several press outlets were present. And unlike some of the other fests I've attended, there were many short film directors (as well as cast and crew) present, so it was nice to be able to share war stories with others who were fighting in the same trenches. Make Horrorfest -- as a creator, as a journalist, as a fan -- an October priority.

    October 2024
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Benjamin! Not only were you kind enough to share your talent with us but you one upped yourself by taking time out of your insanely busy schedule to make the trip out to the fest. We're beyond grateful! And then what do you do? You follow all of that up with these kind words. You're a class act. And you're talented, to boot. We were honored to have "13th Night" as part of our lineup. I love a great father/daughter story (I can relate as I have a wonderful daughter) and your short certainly qualifies. Thanks again for sending it our way. Let Nat know we greatly appreciate him as well. On a final note, we certainly can't wait to see what you do next!

  • Paolo Mancini

    This festival is a must for all genre & horror filmmakers / screenwriters! It truly is a celebration. Their passion and dedication is undeniable. Was beyond proud to have mine & Daniel Watchorn's screenplay for THE SATAN LEVEL as a Finalist at this year's feature script competition. I definitely intend to return with future projects.

    October 2024
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Hi Paolo! Thank you so much for the kind words! Our screenplay committee loved "The Satan Level" and we can't thank you enough for sharing your talent with us. Congrats on making it to the Finals! When your screenplay eventually makes it from the page to the big screen, we certainly hope the film is sent our way. Again, thank you! We greatly look forward to seeing what you do next.

  • Andy Matthews

    HorrorFest is a special place! The most unique element to me is the love for movies that permeates the every part of the event. From the official selections they curate, to the throwback mystery screenings they do during the festival to the Horror Trivia during meals… You really get the sense that there is a deep love for horror and movies. And not just from the organizers, but by the local community too! That love fuels everything they do and they take great care to give filmmakers an an awesome venue to show their films, do interviews, and Q&A’s. It was truly a pleasure to bring our short film here this year and we can’t wait to come back. The organizers John and Adam could not be more kind and concerned that you get the most mileage out of the event as possible. If you’re a lover of horror movies, this is a fun fun fest where you can just escape for a few days and watch scary movies with an audience who loves them just as much as you do!

    October 2024
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Andy and Aaron! We don't need to continue telling you how much we adore you guys. If we do, we'll just start to sound like a broken record. To call you both supremely talented would be a gross understatement. "Horror with heart" is an underrepresented subgenre and you both serve it well. It goes without saying that we can't wait to see what you do next and whatever it is, we truly hope you'll send it our way. Congrats on all of your success. Well-deserved.