10 years strong and consistently rated one of FilmFreeway’s “Top 100 Best Reviewed Festivals,” HorrorHaus has a solid reputation in the genre filmmaking community.

HorrorHaus is a 3-day Los Angeles area film festival dedicated to the creative works of independent filmmakers with a penchant for horror.

As filmmakers ourselves, we recognize talented artists who bring their visual storytelling gifts to the screen. We gather unique and spine-tingling films from around the world and showcase them during an exciting, thrill-packed weekend, complete with red carpet, networking events, parties, and a top-notch awards ceremony.

Welcome to our Haus.

*Best Feature Film

*Best Short Film

*Best Student Film

*Best Trailer

*Best Featurette

*Best Horror Comedy

*Best Music Video

*Best Web Series

*Audience Favorite

*Best Actor

*Best Actress

*Best Supporting Actor

*Best Supporting Actress

*Best Young Actor

*Best Young Actress

*Best Director

*Best Screenplay (Produced)

*Best Screenplay (Unproduced)

*Best Cinematography

*Best Makeup FX

*Best Practical FX

*Best Visual FX

*Best Costume Design

*Best Editing

*Best Sound Design

*Best Original Score

*Best Jump Scare

We are looking for all things horror and sub-genre, including: Thriller, Psychological, Paranormal, Supernatural, Comedy/Horror, Slasher, Experimental, Dark, Disturbing, Twisted, Grindhouse, Music Video, Animated, Documentary, Screenplays, etc.

GENERAL RULES:

1. PLEASE SUBMIT IN THE PROPER CATEGORY!! If you submit in the wrong category i.e., Short Film as a Trailer or Featurette as a Short, your project will be disqualified. Please read and follow the submission guidelines.

2. Entries must be original works, and the Filmmaker must own all rights to the film.

3. Filmmaker retains all ownership and rights to their original submitted work.

4. More than one entry may be submitted, but each entry must be submitted separately.

5. Filmmaker grants permission to HHFF to exhibit film during the 2025 festival with no expectation of financial compensation.

6. We will accept works in progress, but please make note at the time of submission and if accepted, be prepared to submit the final exhibition copy three weeks prior to festival screening dates.

7. Non-English language films must be subtitled in English.

8. Student films must have been produced/filmed while the Filmmaker was attending an accredited school, college, or university. Proof of enrollment is required with submission. Student films are only eligible for the Best Student Film Award and not any other award category consideration.

9. Trailers must be under 2 1/2 (two and a half) minutes and be original material. Fan film trailers will not be considered.

10. If accepted, the Filmmaker will be notified via email. Filmmaker agrees to provide HHFF with a final exhibition copy of the film three weeks in advance of festival dates. Please note that the cost of shipping materials is the sole responsibility of the Filmmaker, and HHFF will not accept responsibility for loss or damage to materials while in transit.

11. Filmmakers may be asked to participate in video/print interviews in advance of the festival for promotional purposes.

12. Filmmakers will be required to provide film trailers, press kits, poster art, production stills, cast/crew bios, headshots, etc., for HHFF promotional purposes.

13. By entering this festival, you grant HHFF the right to use all submitted materials, including, but not limited to, film, trailer, and photographic footage, as well as audio recordings, written materials, logos, poster art, etc., at our discretion for the promotional and screening use of the film festival.

14. Secure online screeners only. DVD/Blu-Ray formats will not be considered.

15. No refunds are given, including for withdrawn projects, so be sure before you submit.

16. We love you guys and value your talent as creators. Thanks, and good luck!

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • While we were unfortunately able to attend HorrorHaus, I am feeling extremely grateful to have had our short screenplay, $elf-Checkout be a part of the lineup. The festival's communication was fantastic with emails explaining every step of the process, and they were very kind and prompt with responding to questions. Thank you HorrorHaus!

    November 2024
  • Stu Silverman

    Really loved the vibe at HorrorHaus! Attentive audiences, insightful Q&As, and impressively solid curation. A fantastic and warm atmosphere to enjoy and discuss horror films. Also props for the super fun awards ceremony, featuring Oscars-style graphics and clips from the winner in each category. It’s obvious that a lot of love and hard work goes into the event. 🤘

    November 2024
  • Lorenzo Manetti

    A fantastic experience and festival! I had the honor of having both my short film ESCAPE and my feature screenplay THE RED TAPES accepted to the fest this year. Festival Director David Lawrence, Festival Producer Allen Schmitt, and the entire staff, have created a wonderful experience for filmmakers to come together and celebrate a diverse selection of amazing films and screenplays. Can’t wait for the next time I can be a part of the festival!

    November 2024
  • In a word…FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC.

    No detail was spared, from the gorgeous badges, the top-notch programs, and the killer trailer to out-of-this-world food provided for filmmakers and ticket holders. Set in a quaint theatre in Santa Clarita, it was a perfect size, and each block played to a packed house.

    The film selections were fun, inventive, and terrifying! I met great filmmakers, actors, writers, and producers, so the networking opportunities were aplenty.

    Thank you, Horror Haus, for accepting my proof of concept, short “Darlins,” and my feature screenplay for “Darlins” as official selections.

    You will always be on my submissions list!

    November 2024
  • Cameron Poletti

    HorrorHaus was an amazing experience. Intimate yet still extremely professional. We were honored that our film BANJO received the audience award and was able to screen with such a rich selection of incredible works.

    November 2024