Welcome to the new, highly anticipated 1st Annual Lakeland Horror Film Festival which will showcase the best horror indie films worldwide! Central Florida is known for its love of horror films so we are very excited to bring this unique experience to Lakeland, Florida.

We have partnered with iBoss Entertainment for this event, which will enhance the indie filmmaker experience, by offering distribution on iBoss platforms to include interviews on their podcast, in-person & Virtual live events/screenings in their cinema rotations/showcases, and revshare to our Best Picture winners.

A red carpet experience will be available along with professional photographers and red carpet interviews prior to and following the awards ceremony.

The networking party will be held on the evening of Friday, October 24, 2025 and the festival itself will be all day Saturday, October 25, 2025. What better than attending a horror film festival during Halloween time! The event is conveniently located within Lakeside Village which offers 4 hotels, multiple food options, and plenty of shopping. While here, take advantage of discounted tickets to premiere haunted attractions in the area.

We are excited to announce our celebrity judges:

Jonathan Stoddard
https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm2326379?s=c2c96747-b24c-a272-efd7-66aca390c1ae&site_preference=normal

Creek Wilson
https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm7286249?s=00c96748-00dc-7a8c-8fd4-cfdf005d904f&site_preference=normal

Grayson Thorne Kilpatrick
https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm6345366?s=48c96748-3717-cd68-ab6e-1bef23a4f8ca&site_preference=normal

Awards & Prizes

Short Film Awards:
Best Picture
Best Director
Best Set Design
Best MUA/SFX
Best Music
Best Actor
Best Actress

Feature Film Awards:
Best Picture
Best Director
Best Set Design
Best MUA/SFX
Best Music
Best Actor
Best Actress

The Oscares:
The Fear Factor Award: Given to the films that delivers the most intense and sustained scares, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats.

Dark Humor Award: Honoring the films that brilliantly combines horror with comedy, delivering both chills and laughs in equal measure.

Best Screamworthy Moment: Awarded to the films with a single scene that causes the most genuine and memorable screams from the audience.

Best Villainous Performance: Celebrating the actors who delivers the most chilling and unforgettable portrayal of a villain or monster.

The Jump Scare Crown: Recognizing the films with the most well-executed and memorable jump scare that catches the audience off guard.

The Twisted Tale Award: Given to the films with the most unexpected and twisted narrative that leaves viewers reeling.

The Unseen Terror Award: Celebrating the films that masterfully uses the power of suggestion, where what’s unseen is more terrifying than what’s shown.

The Fear Innovator Award: Given to the films that introduces new and innovative ways to scare audiences, breaking the mold of traditional horror.

The People's Choice Award: Given to the films that capture the hearts of the audience. Festival attendees will have the opportunity to rate each film during the festival.

Additional Prizes:
We have partnered with iBoss Entertainment for this event, which will enhance the indie filmmaker experience, by offering distribution on iBoss platforms to include interviews on their podcast, in-person & Virtual live events/screenings in their cinema rotations/showcases, and revshare to our Best Picture winners.

Rules & Terms

RULES:

HORROR IS THE ONLY GENRE BEING ACCEPTED. It can be a combination of other genres (ie. Horror Comedy) but the primary genre must be Horror.

We do NOT offer entry fee waivers.

1. Productions may be created in any format, but all entries for pre-screening must be in a digital file.
2. Productions must be entered by the primary rights holder or their authorized representative. If you are acting on the behalf of the rights holder of the film, you may be required to furnish proof of authorization.
3. All entries must be in English, dubbed in English or contain on-screen English subtitles. Non-English entries submitted without dubbing or on-screen English subtitles will be automatically disqualified.
4. Entries must be be submitted by deadline dates.
5. Works-in-progress may be accepted for consideration, provided a completed version will be available by July 15, 2025.
6. We do not require, but STRONGLY RECOMMEND providing an "all audiences" trailer (downloadable) for your film in online format. This will greatly increase your chances of being included in all social media promotions for the Festival and social media is what this festival relies upon for advertising and promotion.
7. For each accepted entry, the Lakeland Horror Film Festival will allocate one (1) filmmaker pass to the festival. A representative of your film must pick up all passes at check-in. An additional fee will apply if you choose to attend the networking event.
8. If attending the event, you will be responsible for securing your own lodging. Lakeland Horror Film Festival can provide suggestions if needed.
9. A local premiere of the film is preferred but films previously premiered at other film festivals will still be accepted. The film must not be readily viewable to the public on YouTube or other streaming platforms.

TERMS:

1. Only complete entries (including entry, payment, and media file) will be processed and considered for screening.
2. Films must have been created no earlier than January 1, 2023.
3. Films promoting or advertising products or services for "for-profit" companies will not be given consideration.
4. Entrants will be notified of acceptance or non-acceptance into the festival by August 1, 2025.
5. Entrant stipulates that they control all rights to the submission and that public exhibition is authorized during the 2025 Lakeland Horror Film Festival if the film is accepted to the Festival.
6. If selected, entrant agrees to provide a copy of the film in an approved format for public exhibition no later than September 7, 2025.
7. If the Entrant wishes to decline acceptance to the Lakeland Horror Film Festival, it must be provided in writing no later than August 15, 2025.
8. There are no refunds of submission fees.
9. If your film is selected for screening, entrants will be required to fill out a festival acceptance form. The form link will be emailed to the contact person listed in FilmFreeway for all accepted films.
10. Participants agree that all materials related to their film (including excerpts of the film) may be published for any promotional purpose related to the Lakeland Horror Film Festival, including the Festival Program, Festival Web Site, and any local or national media. Posters and images of the film may be used independently or in combination with images from other films to promote the film and the Lakeland Horror Film Festival.
11. Productions must be entered by the primary rights holder or their authorized representative. If you are acting on the behalf of the rights holder of the film, you may be required to furnish proof of authorization. Films already steaming or available for purchase, films that have aired on a broadcast, cable or VOD platform for wide viewing by a general audience will not be accepted.
12. DCPs will not be mailed back unless the filmmaker provides a return shipping label.
13. DCP delivery deadline is September 7th. Anything sent after this deadline may not be included in the festival.
14. The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless Lakeland Horror Film Festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.