Welcome to the Indie Horror Film Festival 2026, a three day celebration of fearless independent horror from around the world, taking over the perfectly creepy setting of Needful Things Shop in Woodstock, Illinois on October 9, 10, and 11, 2026.

Indie Horror has been a long running home for filmmakers who like their cinema bold, strange, unsettling, and unforgettable. After recent successful returns, the festival continues its mission of spotlighting the best in independent horror, from midnight terrors to monster mayhem, from psychological dread to bloody crowd pleasers.

For 2026, we are officially opening with two main submission tiers:

Short Films (Up to 44 minutes)
Tight, sharp, and dangerous. Shorts are where horror often hits hardest, and we love showcasing films that can leave a bruise in under an hour.

Feature Films (45+ Minutes)
Full length nightmares with room to build atmosphere, characters, and escalating dread. If your story needs the full runway, bring it.

Our programming favors strong storytelling, confident filmmaking, and creators who take risks. We welcome a wide range of horror subgenres, including supernatural, creature features, slashers, horror comedy, thriller, experimental, and more.

Whether you’re a filmmaker looking for an engaged horror loving crowd or a fan hunting for your next favorite nightmare, Indie Horror Film Festival 2026 is built to deliver the screams.

Awards & Prizes

Awards and recognition will be presented for:

Best Film
Best Feature
Best Short
Best Director
Best Writer
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Music
Best Sound
Best Special FX

Rules & Terms

RULES & TERMS (2026)

By submitting a film to the Indie Horror Film Festival, the Entrant (submitter) acknowledges and agrees to the following:

1) Eligibility & Compliance

You confirm that you have read and will fully comply with all submission eligibility requirements, guidelines, and these Rules & Terms.

2) Authority to Submit

You confirm you are authorized to submit this film on behalf of all rights holders and have obtained any necessary permissions.

3) Accuracy of Information

You confirm that, to the best of your knowledge, all information provided during submission is accurate and truthful.

4) Legal Status

You confirm the submitted film is not currently involved in litigation and is not the subject of any threatened litigation that would prevent festival screening or promotion.

5) Rights and Clearances

You confirm you hold the necessary rights for all content in the film, including but not limited to: music, images, artwork, clips, performances, and any other copyrighted material.

6) Promotional Use

You grant the Indie Horror Film Festival the right to use film stills, trailers, titles, synopsis text, and other submitted materials for promotional and marketing purposes across festival platforms (website, social media, press, digital and print materials).

7) Screening Permission

If selected, you grant the Indie Horror Film Festival the right to screen your film as part of the 2026 festival programming and related official festival events/presentations.

8) Liability

You release and hold harmless the Indie Horror Film Festival, its owners, staff, judges, partners, sponsors, venues, and affiliates from any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses arising out of or related to your submission or participation, including claims regarding copyright, publicity, and/or trademark.

9) Media Handling (Physical Deliverables, If Applicable)

If any physical media is provided at any stage (hard drive, disc, etc.), you acknowledge the festival is not responsible for loss or damage occurring in transit to or from the festival, or while in the possession of shipping providers. (Digital submissions are strongly preferred.)

ADDITIONAL NOTES (PLEASE READ) 🧟
No “Film Made By” Date Restriction

We do not require a completion year range. We love new nightmares, old nightmares, and “how did they get away with that in the 1930s?” nightmares. Vintage horror is welcome.

Distribution & Premiere Status

Films with distribution are eligible.
All premiere statuses are eligible. (No premiere requirement.)

Adult Content

Nudity is permitted.
Explicit sexual penetration will be disqualified. (We’re here for horror, not that kind of feature.)

Screening Fees

We do not pay screening fees.
If a screening fee is required as a condition of participation, the film will be deemed ineligible.

Awards

Award winners will be announced LIVE during the Indie Horror Film Festival.
29 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Markham Samuels

    Thanks so much INDIE HORROR FILM FEST for having us as part of the festival! It was wonderful to participate in the event this year! Thanks again from everyone on the "Firecrow" team :)

    November 2025
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  • Eric Baktanian

    It was an absolute honor to have our fantasy horror short film BE NICE be a part of this wonderful festival. Consistent, clear, and succinct communication from the super-friendly festival. Super fun all around!! Thank you!

    November 2025
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  • Molly Lin


    Thank you so much for the wonderful event!

    November 2025
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  • Chris Churilla

    I'd like to thank The Indie Horror Film Festival for awarding Best Writer for my short horror-comedy "Weirdos"!

    I regret I couldn't attend as I was making another movie, so I can't speak as to the hospitality and networking, but the communication was top-notch.

    Count on me submitting to them in the future!

    November 2025
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  • Nick Pospisil

    Thank you so much for screening my film, Family For Christmas. Couldn't make it this year but already excited to attend next year. Communication with the festival was very clear.

    November 2024
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