The Los Angeles International Horror Film Festival is the most exciting horror film festival in the modern filmmaking world. We're dedicated to showcasing films from the world's most talented genre filmmakers. Our program is packed with award-winning thriller and horror films from every corner of the world. This started as a way of showcasing our love for all things horror, and it's grown to be a complete, value-packed celebration of horror filmmaking surrounded by other incredible talented and passionate creators!

The Los Angeles International Horror Film Festival is loaded up with resources, tools, masterclasses, panels, industry opportunities, networking opportunities and of course: a whole lot of wonderful movies.

We believe in selecting and awarding films that leave an impact. Films that really stick with you beyond your viewing. Los Angeles International Horror Film Festival is a must for established and up-and-coming filmmakers alike, who have created short and feature films that audiences will not and can not forget. We believe in integrating both films from seasoned professionals, as well as passionate new filmmakers, so we can create the chance to connect both sides of the industry and provide the most opportunity: in terms of creativity and professional presence.

Our selection committee programs every type of film in the broad genre of horror films: from sci-fi, to thriller, to slasher, and everything in between.

Submit now to be featured as part of the 2026 Los Angeles Independent Film Festival!

*We're also official partners of FILMNET If you're interested in taking your film career to the next level online, go visit FILMNET.io - Their interview packages and review publications are built to help independent filmmakers grow. It's an amazing platform, and it's a great community to be a part of if you're interested in growing your film career! -> FILMNET.io

Winners in all categories will be awarded and announced during the festival event!

ALL Finalists and Official Selections will receive full festival passes to the event. These passes will include everything the festival offers!

Awards will be presented across the following categories:
Best Feature Film
Best Short Film
Best Student Film
Best Super Short Film
Best Animation
Best Director
Best Student Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Cinematography
Best Feature Screenplay
Best Short Screenplay

All entries should be sent via FilmFreeway with a secure online screener.

-Each accepted film must be submitted in the .mp4 or .mov format, preferably.

-By submitting to the festival you confirm that you own the rights of the film, including the rights to the music in the film.

-By submitting to the festival you give consent to the festival programming staff to screen your work in front of the private audience of the Los Angeles International Horror Film Festival community.

-There is no minimum running time.

-Films must have been completed on or after Jan 1st, 2020.

-All horror genres are welcome (narrative, animated, experimental, sci-fi, gore, thriller, slasher, etc.)

-Filmmakers may submit multiple entries as long as each film is submitted with its own Entry Form, online screener and paid Entry Fee.

-Submission Fees are non-refundable

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Thanks for selecting JC Bratton's Dollhouse as an award finalist! It was nice to see so many great films ... and thanks for the wonderful film review!

    November 2025
  • Blake Vaz

    Thank you for selecting Il Colore della Notte and awarding us with best foreign experimental short! Great communication!

    November 2025
  • They do NOT post any results on their website...ever. They do NOT have any social media. They are NOT approved by IMDb. DO NOT ENTER!

    November 2025
  • Bobbie Burgess-Tatum

    Thank you for selecting me into your film festival! Looking forward to doing it again!

    November 2025
  • Markham Samuels

    Thanks so much for having us as part of the festival this season! It was wonderful to be included in the event, thanks again from everyone on the "Firecrow" team :)

    November 2025