Since 2009 the Knoxville Horror Film Festival is committed in bringing the best (and worst) of genre cinema to Tennessee through our annual film festival and feature screenings throughout the year. The only horror festival in Tennessee, KHFF holds its annual fest near Halloween every year.

On top of accepting submissions of short films from around the world, we hold a filmmaking competition called the Grindhouse Grind-Out in which we give teams 6 days and 66 minutes to make a 3 minute Grindhouse trailer or short film.

We are now accepting submissions for KHFF 2020!

Awards & Prizes

PALM d'GORE (GRAND PRIZE):
SCARIEST FILM
FUNNIEST FILM
WEIRDEST FILM
BEST PERFORMANCE
BEST SCENARIO
BEST REGIONAL FILM (AUDIENCE + JURY)

A feature and a short will be chosen for each of the above categories.

Prizes include custom designed trophies by various artists and awesome swag from our sponsors such as Scream Factory, Rue Morgue, Vinegar Sydnrome and lots of local vendors.

Rules & Terms

INFO & GUIDELINES:

Films are divided into four overall competitions: FEATURE, REGIONAL FEATURE (films produced in Tennessee), SHORTS and REGIONAL SHORTS.(short films produced in Tennessee)

Submission fees are $50 for feature films, $40 for Regional Feature Films, $20 for Short films and $15 for Regional Short films.

One film per entry fee. Entry fees are non-refundable. Paying the fee does not guarantee your film will be played, it only enters your film into consideration for being a part of the festival.

Films must be original in content or adapted with binding permission.

19 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Geoff Harmer

    We're so chuffed that our film 'Dead Air' was selected for this fabulous festival! Top-Notch all round!!

    January 2020
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  • Zachary Eglinton

    Didn't get to attend the festival but these guys were so cool and even let me know how my short played with the crowd. Would definitely submit again. And hope to attend the next time I do!

    October 2019
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  • Malcolm Mills

    Great communication, beautiful laurels; wish I could've attended after hearing about the awesome networking, but honored to win "Weirdest Short" for "VR Food!"

    October 2019
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  • Ken Cohen

    Great festival full of great festival runners!

    October 2019
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  • D.A. Keenan

    KHFF is a must for horror genre filmmaker's and spectators! We were fortunate enough to have been selected to this festival. From day one communication was great! I highly recommend submitting!

    October 2019
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