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 all-ages shorts, creepypasta/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.**

**WE DO NOT PROVIDE WAIVERS - REQUESTS WILL BE IGNORED. FILMS MUST BE UNDER 20 MINUTES TO BE CONSIDERED, WITHOUT EXCEPTION.**

Awards & Prizes

Two weekend passes to Midsummer Scream will be provided to the creators of each accepted project.

Rules & Terms

Submitted films or videos (hereafter referred to as "the project") must be 20 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 on July 28, 29, 30 2023 in front of an audience. If accepted, the filmmaker allows Midsummer Scream to use clips and images of their film in promotions.

41 Reviews
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  • Jake McClellan

    Our short was part of the LGBTQ+ short programming and it got some serious love! We even won the audience award for it. We got such great reception and kind words from the audience and the team. Will submit in the future 100%. SUPER affordable submission fee as well. worth it!

    December 2022
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  • Christian Bachini

    Majestic and fabulous horror convention and film festival. The Screaming Room festival organized by Horror Buzz was an absolute blast, a super high quality line-up with some of the best horror shorts of recent times and the whole festival team, Norman Gidney, Eric and Amantha Ryan were absolutely welcoming and didn't shy away to show how much they love and care for us filmmakers. Got to bring home an Audience Award and meet some talented filmmakers!! Hope I will be able to submit again in the near future and thanks so much for the amazing experience!!

    August 2022
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  • Jace Pickard

    A fantastic festival to be a part of. Very happy that Q Club was a part of it. Thank you for having us!

    August 2022
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  • Ilgın Saçan

    Amazing event. Although we couldn’t be there in person, we found out that In the Woods won the Audience Award in Drawn to Horror category. Thanks!

    August 2022
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  • Bill Koning

    Great Time! Well organized. Eric and Amanda couldn't have been more pleasant.

    August 2022
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