Illinois Horror Movie Festival – Rules & Terms of Submission
1. Eligibility: Open to all independent filmmakers worldwide. Films must fall within the horror or horror-adjacent genres (including horror-comedy, thriller, supernatural, psychological, creature feature, etc.). Submissions must have been completed after January 1, 2022.
2. Runtime: Feature films must be 40 minutes or longer. Short films must be 39 minutes or less. Music videos, trailers, and experimental horror films are also accepted under the short format.
3. Submission Format: Films must be submitted digitally via FilmFreeway or an approved platform. All films must be submitted in 1080p or higher resolution, with stereo or better audio, and include English subtitles if the primary language is not English.
4. Submission Deadline: All submissions must be received no later than September 1st, 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.
5. Screening Rights: By submitting, filmmakers grant the festival the right to publicly screen their film during the event dates (October 2–3, 2026) at the Illinois Horror Movie Festival Under the Stars in Carroll County, Illinois, on its two festival screens.
6. Additional Showcase: Official selections may also be showcased as part of the bi-weekly horror broadcast Midnight at Refinery, hosted by Jenna NightVeil, with the filmmaker’s consent.
7. Optional Distribution: Selected films may be offered optional distribution under the Midnight at Refinery Anthology Series, pending a separate mutual agreement.
8. Premiere Status: Premiere status is not required, but films that have not yet been publicly released in Illinois will receive priority in programming.
9. Rights & Clearances: Filmmakers must possess all necessary rights to their film, including music, imagery, talent, and likeness. The festival is not responsible for any copyright infringement claims.
10. Submission Fees: All submissions are non-refundable. Fee waivers may be granted at the festival’s discretion but are not guaranteed.
11. Awards Eligibility: Only films that complete the submission process and are officially selected will be considered for awards. Illinois-based films and talent will be automatically considered for Illinois-specific categories.
12. Promotion: Filmmakers agree to allow the festival to use stills, trailers, and promotional excerpts of up to 30 seconds for marketing purposes.
13. Acceptance Notification: Official selections will be notified via email and announced on the festival’s website and social platforms no later than August 15, 2026.
14. Attendance: Filmmaker attendance is encouraged but not required. Accepted films will still be screened in their selected category.
15. Code of Conduct: The festival maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy regarding harassment or abusive behavior toward staff, filmmakers, volunteers, or attendees. Violations will result in disqualification and removal from the event.
16. Agreement: Submission to the festival constitutes agreement to all terms and conditions listed above.
