**We are now accepting film submissions for the September 2023 festival, to be held at the Capitol Theatre in Lebanon, TN.**

Mission:
A judged film festival described as "Sundance with Fangs" by Newsday Long Island. We provide a venue for showcasing your films within a celebratory & respectful environment, where fans can enjoy the independent films entered by those of you who passionately craft your Strange-ifical, Weird-ifical, Horror-ifical, Sci-fi-tastical, Fantastical and Macabre-licious films. The opportunity to win awards, increase film visibility via press and possibly obtain distribution is always part of the equation with the Macabre Faire Film Festival.

For starters the word "Macabre" is pronounced: Ma-Cob. The "re" is hardly ever heard. What does it mean?

Although it is an adjective meaning: disturbing and horrifying because of involvement with or depiction of death and injury, we are not solely a horror film festival, but instead a whole lot more than that. We usually approach the Macabre Faire Film Festival with a lighter touch in the sense that, not all of the films screened are horror and instead many may simply be considered a bit on the darker side. Of course, we will add some horror to this festival but, when we hear the word "Macabre" we remember those hauntingly fascinating films that starred legendary greats such as: Vincent Price & Peter Cushing or those fantastic Gothic horrors like the "Hammer" films. These names in themselves represent what "macabre" means to us. What we are saying is that the word "Macabre" does not mean we only accept horror films but instead that we welcome those films that can tap into our fears through what you don't see or hear. A dark drama, mystery, suspense, thriller or dark comedy can do a lovely job making us feel uncomfortable in the dark. So folks, this is what many of the films selected for the Macabre Faire Film Festival offer. A buffet for any pallet. About the only thing we may have to say "No Thanks" to would be a romantic comedy/drama...Unless, there's a monster under the bed of course!

All submitted films are pre-screened by select judges then the films are passed onto another set of judges consisting of more filmmakers, film critics, genre film fans and or seasoned actors, to choose the Official Selections. Once these selections have been identified there is an additional judging process in collaboration with the original pre-screening judges to identify the different category nominees.

URGENT NOTE: IF THERE IS NO CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE FESTIVAL AND INDIVIDUAL WHO SUBMITTED THE ACCEPTED FILM WITHIN 4 WEEKS FROM INITIAL ACCEPTANCE NOTIFICATION, WHICH ALL FILMMAKERS RECEIVE FROM FilmFreeway BY DEADLINE DATE, YOUR FILM WILL NO LONGER BE AN OFFICIAL SELECTION IN THE MACABRE FAIRE FILM FESTIVAL.

We urge everyone to check their spam folders at all times and or ensure to make contact with the festival within 4 weeks of the acceptance notification. Failure to do so will exclude your film from the festival. Please take the time to ACTUALLY READ all the pages of the submission form which contains mailing address information (if needed) and other very important details which includes getting your discs or film posters sent to the festival in a timely fashion. This does not mean mailing materials in 2 weeks before the event as they will not be accepted.

The September 2023 festival runs from Thursday Sept. 28th - Sunday Oct. 1. This 4 day event offers a full schedule packed with film screenings inside the theater, panels, live entertainment events and the awards ceremony. In addition there will be vendors within the venue offering a unique shopping experience within our film festival marketplace.

As is tradition, attendees are encouraged to come in costume for the festival and red carpet.

Our Red Carpet Award Ceremony offers a unique, and glamorous atmosphere filled with Press, Photos, and Awards! This is NOT to be missed!

Several films that have screened at MFFF have received distribution titles include: Cannibal Diner, Caesar & Otto's Deadly XMas, Caesar & Otto's Paranormal Halloween, Model Hunger, The Perfect House, House of Afflictions, Dead Woman's Hollow, The Long Island Serial Killer, The Ghouligans, Devil Knows His Own, Coyote, and others being discussed at this very moment. Will yours be next?

Awards & Prizes

The following categories are included for both Features & Shorts:

Best Screenplay
Best Cinematography
Best Costuming
Best Sound
Best Sound Track
Best SPFX
Best Visual FX
Best Editing
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actor
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actress
Best Director

The following categories cover all festival submissions:

Best in Festival Feature
Best Foreign Feature Film
Best in Festival Short
Best Foreign Short Film
Best in Festival Super Short
Best Documentary
Best Music Video
Best Animation
Best Student Film

Trophies are awarded.
Please note: A plaque or trophy will only be presented to those attendees attending the Red Carpet Awards Ceremony who have confirmed a minimum of 4 weeks before event date. Otherwise, a winners certificate will be sent by email. A physical award can be requested to be mailed to a winning party however, there will be fees included to do so.

This does not include any sponsorship certificates or gifts that may be provided to the festival.

Of course, be sure to load up your nominations and wins onto your IMDb pages.

Rules & Terms

Important Things Before We Begin:
*Did you READ the running times for all the categories? Exceeded running times will result in your film being declined.
*Please tell us if your submission is a US/Canada or Foreign Film.
*NO POSTERS or STILLS with ANY text or laurels.
*Download Permission available 4 weeks from acceptance as a MP4.
*What type of "Premiere" (if any) is it for your film's title?
*How would you categorize your film? Horror? Dark Drama? Fantasy? Sci-Fi? Etc.
*If you DO NOT have or own permission/rights to the music in your film please do not submit.

All Festival Submissions MUST have a screening link as several of our judges reside throughout the country. Failure to supply a private screening link for judging can and will result in the film being omitted from entry into the film festival. Submissions MUST also have a teaser/trailer link for promotional purposes once it is chosen as an Official Selection as well as a promotional poster graphic. We will download your film for a digital screening off of FilmFreeway therefore you MUST already have ALLOWED PERMISSION to download off your page. If you have not allowed permission by the deadline emailed, once you have received notification from FilmFreeway of your film being accepted into the festival, your film will be removed from the accepted list. Your downloadable format will need to be an MP4 of no more than 4 gigs. We are screening all films on a 30' theater screen. The theater seats up to 400 people. We need to test the films weeks in advance therefore, failure to allow a download of your submitted film that has been Officially Selected, will result in a Void in the acceptance afterwards. It doesn't matter if you were "planning to attend". Don't be that person showing up with a Blu-Ray in hand day of your screening, as it will NOT be accommodated into the schedule.

Don't forget what we already mentioned earlier...
IF THERE IS NO CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE FESTIVAL AND INDIVIDUAL WHO SUBMITTED THE ACCEPTED FILM WITHIN 4 WEEKS FROM INITIAL ACCEPTANCE NOTIFICATION, WHICH ALL FILMMAKERS RECEIVE FROM FilmFreeway BY DEADLINE DATE, YOUR FILM WILL NO LONGER BE AN OFFICIAL SELECTION IN THE MACABRE FAIRE FILM FESTIVAL.

** Entries must be original, written and/or directed by the submitting filmmaker(s) or responsible party with ownership rights.
** All submissions will be kept at the film festival production office.
** All entries using copyrighted material (sound or picture) must obtain proper clearances and permission to use the material. Documentation showing this clearance and permission must be submitted with the application. Examples of copyrighted material may include: popular music, stock footage and still photographs. It is the Filmmakers responsibility to obtain rights, clearances and permission. The Macabre Faire Film Fest assumes no responsibility for violation of copyright law.
** It is at the discretion of the Film Fest advisory board as to what films are deemed appropriate, eligible for entry, & shown in the Macabre Faire Film Fest. All films will be shown that are accepted however, they will be scheduled according to what the Film Fest advisory board deems fitting for the time of day and audience as there are children under 18 yrs of age that attend the Fest. All rules & guidelines are subject to change. Any change(s) made will be posted & made available to film makers at the earliest possible moment.
** The Macabre Faire Film Fest is Horror, Sci-Fi, Macabre, Suspense-Thriller, Dark Drama, Horror Comedy, Twisted Tales and Fantasy themed Film Fest.
** Submission of an entry automatically authorizes unlimited exhibition and duplication rights for the entry to Macabre Faire Film Fest for the purpose of judging as it is a competitive event as well as publicity. Any media and the contents contained on the media becomes the property of Macabre Faire Film Fest. Entries will not be used in any way for commercial purposes. The intent is to allow the Festival to use your entry for promotional or educational purposes. By submitting an entry to the Macabre Faire Film Fest, each entrant expressly grants permission to use their name, likeness, hometown, etc...
** Entries will not be returned to entrants.
** Entrants shall indemnify, defend and hold the Festival, its agents and its representatives harmless from and against any and all claims, damages, costs, liabilities and expenses which may be incurred by reason of any breach of these representations, or arising out of any matter contained in the media or otherwise by the Festival's use of the media.
** Entries may be disqualified for the following reasons:
a.) Inappropriate material b.) Incomplete application materials and documentation c.) Submissions on unacceptable media d.) Entries which are submitted past the deadline due date

OR...

IF THERE IS NO CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE FESTIVAL AND INDIVIDUAL WHO SUBMITTED THE ACCEPTED FILM WITHIN 4 WEEKS FROM INITIAL ACCEPTANCE NOTIFICATION, WHICH ALL FILMMAKERS RECEIVE FROM FilmFreeway BY DEADLINE DATE, YOUR FILM WILL NO LONGER BE AN OFFICIAL SELECTION IN THE MACABRE FAIRE FILM FESTIVAL.

** In case of questions, disputes or misunderstandings the decisions of the Directors of the Festival are final.
53 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Dane Benko

    Really appreciated being involved and the quality of communication with Macabre Faire.

    November 2022
    Helpful
  • Gerald Varga

    Macabre Faire Film Festival is one of the best film festivals l’ve had the pleasure to be accepted into. The folks who run it are all very professional, hospitable and they put on a first class event. Aside from the awesome selections of both short and feature length films, there are excellent panels to attend, lots of vendor booths with cool merch, food trucks and live music in the evenings. Best of all there’s a red carpet awards ceremony that’s super exciting to attend. My film won Best Foreign Feature and I was presented with a beautiful wall trophy. I loved this festival and can’t wait to submit again. If you have the honour of being an official selection I highly recommend you attend.

    October 2022
    Helpful
  • Roland Becerra

    I was so excited to have our film be excepted to Macabre Faire Film Festival and win best VFX, it was an amazing experience. Adam was terrific at communication and keeping us up to date with everything. One of the best festivals to be a part of. Thank you!

    October 2022
    Helpful
  • Tyler Winstead

    Didn't get to attend, but the communication was great and it did seem like they truly care about the filmmakers. Will for sure submit again.

    October 2022
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  • Atomic Abe Productions

    Macabre Faire is aces. I wasn't able to attend but the fest really made me feel welcomed, included and respected. I'm so glad they featured my film and went out of their way to make me feel appreciated. Great communication and a great mission for spotlighting offbbeat films and filmmakers.

    October 2022
    Helpful