Media Fright Fest is a program of the Media Arts Council in Media, Pennsylvania. Since 2010, Media Fright Fest has been showcasing the best local, national, and international short films in the genres of horror, dark fantasy, science fiction, and thriller. The selected films will be split between both Media Fright Fest events, one in the spring and one in the fall, with each event having a unique line up.

Looking to submit a non-horror film to the Media Film Festival? Visit us at https://filmfreeway.com/MediaFilmFestival

The Media Fright Fest committee votes on the best film for the spring and fall fests with both winners receiving a monetary award.

Each fest will also have an audience award with winners posted on social media.

1. ELIGIBILITY. This Contest is open to entrants ages 18 and over. All entry forms and all communications from entrants must be in the English language. Films submitted in any language other than English must have English sub-titles.

2. ENTRIES. All entries must be original works. Contestants may submit multiple entries in one or more categories. Use of any third party materials without both acknowledgement and written permission of the copyright owner, including but not limited to third-party prose, song lyrics, photography, or video, will result in disqualification.

3. SUBMISSION. As per FilmFreeway requirements. Films must also be available via download upon submission.

4. JUDGING. Entries will be judged based on artistic merit and technical excellence. The Media Arts Council reserves the right to use alternate judges if necessary. All judges’ decisions are final.

5. PUBLICATION AND LICENSE. By entering this Contest, in the event your film is chosen, you hereby grant to the Media Arts Council the right to use your name, likeness and film for promotion and/or advertising purposes in any manner and in any medium (including without limitation, radio broadcasts, newspapers and other publications and in television or film releases, slides, videotape, distribution over the Internet and picture data storage) which the Media Arts Council may deem appropriate.

6. FESTIVAL ATTENDANCE. Entrants are encouraged, but not required, to attend the festival. Entrants are responsible for all costs incurred to attend this festival. Entrants receive two free all-fest passes for both the spring and fall festivals.

7. RELEASE. Entrant acknowledges that the Media Arts Council may not be held liable for any loss, damages or injury associated with this Contest. Entrant agrees to indemnify the Media Arts Council for all costs, damages, and attorneys fees resulting from any third party claims, including copyright infringement, arising from entrant’s participation.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
I, the undersigned, acknowledge and affirm that, while Media Arts Council is a not-for-profit that works to further its mission to actively support local artists and integrate a wide range of arts into the life of the entire community, the scope of its mission does not include filmmaking and/or protection of copyright. I acknowledge and affirm that my participation with Media Arts Council is voluntary and is made with the understanding that I am acting as an individual who is independently responsible for my actions and the propriety of my film. In consideration for Media Arts Council permitting me (the undersigned) to participate with the Media Arts Council Film Festival, I agree to unconditionally and absolutely RELEASE, WAIVE, INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS, AND DISCHARGE Media Arts Council, its officers, employees, agents, representatives, successors assigns and volunteers (“Released Parties”) for any and all claims, expenses, damages (including injury to person or property or death), actions, and causes of action, of whatsoever kind or nature, whether caused by the negligence or gross negligence of the Released Parties, arising out of the undersigned’s participation with the Media Arts Council Film Festival. I also agree to indemnify the Released Parties against any and all claims, expenses, damages (including injury to person or property or death), actions, and causes of action, of whatsoever kind or nature, brought by and/or incurred by third parties, whether caused by the negligence or gross negligence of the Released Parties, arising out of the undersigned’s participation with the Media Arts Council Film Festival. In the event my film is chosen, I hereby grant to the Media Arts Council the right to use my name, likeness and film for promotion and/or advertising purposes in any manner and in any medium (including without limitation, radio broadcasts, newspapers and other publications and in television or film releases, slides, videotape, distribution over the Internet and picture data storage) which the Media Arts Council may deem appropriate. The undersigned acknowledges that the Media Arts Council may not be held liable for any loss, damages or injury associated with this Contest, and agrees to indemnify the Media Arts Council for all costs, damages, and attorneys fees resulting from any third party claims, including copyright infringement, arising from entrant’s participation. The undersigned agrees that any lawsuits arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be maintained only in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The undersigned agrees that the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania shall govern the use, interpretation and application of this Agreement. The undersigned acknowledges that this release, waiver and indemnification Agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by law, and that if any portion of the agreement is held to be invalid, it is agreed that the balance of the Agreement shall; notwithstanding, continue in full legal force and effect. The undersigned further acknowledges that he/she has carefully read this Agreement and knows and understands its contents, and further knows and understands that by signing this Agreement he/she voluntarily gives up substantial rights and assumes all risks, and signs this Agreement as his/her own free act.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Nicholas Peetros

    We were honored to be a part of this great festival. Great planning, communication, and hospitality. Highly recommended A+ Festival!

    April 2023
  • Russell Emanuel

    Great film festival that treated us well! Than you so much!

    April 2023
  • Adam Clark

    This was a fantastic festival and it was an honor to be included.

    The communication from the organizers was excellent right from the start. Tamme is so nice!

    The festival ran smoothly and the theater was beautiful. The audience was reactive in the best ways. The selection of films was great as well.

    I wish there there had been a Q&A for the audience afterwards but I understand it was already late. Plus, all the filmmakers were invited to do an on-camera interview. That was very nice! They also had a reception/afterparty at a nearby bar (sadly I couldn’t make it).

    All in all, this was a really nice time. They really respected the filmmakers and the art. I will submit anything I make in the future to this festival.

    April 2023
  • Great festival! Tamme, Karen and the Media team are so nice, communicative, and supportive. Thank you for accepting my short film TWIN! It was nice that it played both in person and online so viewers had options.

    April 2022
  • nathan crooker

    I was thrilled to have #Nofilter selected for Media Fright Fest, and my experience of the festival did not disappoint. They are extremely responsive and do a great job of choosing top notch genre films. The whole festival team really do have the best interests of their filmmakers at heart, and my thanks go out to them for including my film in this year’s selection.

    April 2022