The Midsummer Scream Halloween Festival packs all the thrills, scares, and fun of October into one summer weekend. Dozens of haunt and Halloween themed attractions, including walk thru mazes, horror themed VR experiences and escape rooms, and immersive theatre, along with over three stages featuring panels, presentations, and performances from Southern California's biggest theme parks and names in dark entertainment!

The HorrorBuzz "Screaming Room" features a carefully curated mix of film programming blocks with terrifying creations to cater to every taste, and an especially keen interest in supporting the indie horror and beginning filmmaker communities.

We're seeking a variety of films that celebrate Halloween and the spirit of horror to fill potential programming blocks including animated and family friendly shorts, "creepy pasta"/urban legend inspired tales, comedic horror, extreme horror, and anything spooky!

**Only submit films that fall into the horror genre or are featured around Halloween.**

In addition to an amazing lineup of films submitted specifically for Midsummer Scream, the Screaming Room has included presentations from Buzzfeed Unsolved, an exclusive video presentation of favorite clips from "Trick R Treat" by writer/director Michael Dougherty, and shorts blocks from the Etheria Film Fest. For 2019, even bigger surprises await - submit your film for a chance to be part of it!

Awards & Prizes

Two weekend passes to Midsummer Scream (August 3 & 4, 2019) will be provided to the creators of each accepted project.

Rules & Terms

Submitted films or video (hereafter referred to as "the project") must be 15 minutes or less in length. In an effort to include as many films as possible, shorter films will be given higher consideration.

Submitter agrees to take all responsibility for obtaining any and all rights and permissions for screening the project at Midsummer Scream.

By submitting the project, you agree to provide Midsummer Scream and its agent with a non-exclusive right to screen the project at Midsummer Scream onAugust 3 & 4, 2019 in front of an audience. If accepted, filmmaker allows Midsummer Scream to use clips and images of their film in promotions.

19 Reviews
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  • Zone 6 Films

    One of our favorite festivals! Midsummer is much more than just a film festival. It's the Comic Con off everything Horror. Vendors, Haunted Houses, and wild performances! Having our film show in the Screaming Room was such a blast - having a big audience to watch our film is always an honor. Thank you to Norman, Eric, Amantha and the rest of the HorrorBuzz.com Team!!

    September 2018
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  • Zhang Xiaoan

    Thank you so much for including my short film Overload into this year' event. It's a great honor. Thank you!

    August 2018
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  • farshid farshchian

    I love this festival this is my first experience in this celebrity and I think we would make better films about horror

    August 2018
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  • Francesca Nobili

    From the confirmation email to the award ceremony, everything was joyful, informative and friendly. Great atmosphere and welcoming. I wished more people attended the event to be able to meet other filmmakers and network a little bit, but the festival crew was very friendly and made me feel very welcomed and appreciated :) I will def apply for next year edition!

    August 2018
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  • Shane Hartline

    Such a great experience, our team had such a great time!

    August 2018
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