The Houston Horror Film Festival was created by an independent filmmaker and horror fan to recognize and showcase true independent horror.

We strive to cultivate a respected festival whose goal will be to showcase and celebrate the films and filmmakers! Filmmakers who attend will get the opportunity to meet and network with other filmmakers through of variety of events. We'll arrange for Q&A sessions with interested filmmakers after screenings.

Film selections will be made by a selection committee comprised of individuals involved independent filmmaking or the genre. The goal in selected our line up will be to provide our guests with a group of films that are diverse in subject matter, have compelling stories, and that showcase the creativity and passion present in the indie horror film scene today.

Awards & Prizes

Awards will be given out during our Awards Ceremony. The categories include:

Best Feature Film
Best Short Film
Best Director (Feature)
Best Director (Short)
Best Actor (Feature)
Best Actress (Feature)
Best Actor (Short)
Best Actress (Short)
Best Screenplay (Feature)
Best Screenplay (Short)
Best Cinematography (Feature)
Best Cinematography (Short)
Best Special Effects (Feature)
Best Special Effects (Short)
Best Texas Film

Rules & Terms

The Houston Horror Film Festival is open to any film that can reasonable be considered horror and/or any of its sub-genres (slasher, supernatural, psychological, monsters, ect..) from any country. However, if the film is not in English, English subtitles are required.

For the 2023 festival the film must have been completed after June of 2019.

If accepted, the filmmaker will be asked to submit a digital copy of the film for the film screening.

By submitting your film, you agree:

That you have ownership and/or permission to submit the film for festival consideration.

That you have full rights to all music used in the film.

That you give Houston Horror Film Festival permission to screen your film at the event and utilize any submitted posters and/or images from the film in our advertising.

That if you choose to attend the festival, transportation and accommodation costs are your own responsibility.
49 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • The Creeping Film

    A wonderful festival. We were proud to have THE CREEPING screen at Houston Horror.

    November 2022
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  • Choni Francis

    I recommend this festival to every filmmaker from Houston and every Horror filmmaker. The location in the Marriott sets it apart from a lot of other festivals' audiences was great. I only invited ten of my family and friends, and there were at least 75-100 people at that hour block of screenings that I didn't know and could get some good feedback. The filmmaker Q&A after my film gave me a friendly confidence booster that started my film festival journey. It's fantastic that they had a Horror Exhibit Hall and fun things to do while you were there. The staff was friendly, let all my people in, and didn't hassle them every five seconds about credentials or wearing them; If you love Horror, you must go to the Houston Horror festival. H-Town, Hold it down.

    November 2022
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  • Christian Bachini

    A wonderful experience! Houston Horror Film Festival is both an amazing convention filled with great fun and an amazing line-up of horror movies legends and a fantastic film festival that showcases only the best of the best when it comes to new horror movies and short films. I can never thank festival director Troy Escamilla and his team enough for the appreciation for my work and for the warm welcome I received upon arriving at the event. Went home with a double victory for my short film Escalation, best director and best short film, and let me tell you, Troy and his team of judges are not afraid of rewarding the hard work of us filmmakers even beyond our greatest expectations. Absolutely recommended and if you can make it, be sure to attend in person the event, because you will have the time of your life and you'll be able to network in the best of ways, meeting so many talented filmmakers and horror fanatics!! Looking forward to submit again in the near future!!

    August 2022
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  • Jason Godi

    The Houston Horror Film Festival was an absolutely incredible experience! The convention aspect of the event brings in so many more viewers that may potentially not attend a traditional Film Festival. Almost every screening was full of enthusiastic horror lovers who gave great feedback. This aspect alone is makes it well worth submitting to, and if you are able to attend, the convention leg of the fest is so much fun! They have amazing celebrity guests, great afterparty events to mingle with fans, other filmmakers and sometimes even celebrities! The hosting hotel was very nice and accommodating as well. I plan on attending next year even if I don't have a project to submit!!!

    5 STAR FEST!!!!!!

    August 2022
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  • Hudson Franzoni

    This was by far one of my favorite film festivals. You will be surrounded by talented filmmakers, valuable industry-based panels, and a plethora of exciting vendors. It was an honor to win for best unproduced screenplay. Communication is beyond solid and the festival director truly cares about the community of the genre. I would highly suggest going to the event. Thanks again for having me.

    August 2022
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