The Milwaukee Twisted Dreams Film Festival is a celebration of horror and the macabre.

"The BEST film festival EVER! I've been to fests all over the world and the Milwaukee Twisted Dreams Film Festival is just the very best. Still new and growing but already on par with the best worldwide!!" - Albert Pyun Director, The Sword and the Sorcerer, Dollman, Cyborg, Nemesis

Back for the 4th year in 2019, the Milwaukee Twisted Dreams Film Festival is bigger and better than ever! 2018 saw us host a number of films from across the globe as well as live performances from bands to burlesque to a Spook Show sideshow performance. More than just a film festival, Twisted Dreams is an EVENT to look forward to. We are looking for the best of the best short and feature films. There is no made by date, if you have a good film we want to see it! We are especially looking for films from the LGBT community, people of color and women. In 2018 we hosted a "women in horror" panel after screening a short film block from female filmmakers. We are looking to do something similar in 2019. We offer local Wisconsin filmmakers free submission as a way of supporting our local film community. The film must have been made in Wisconsin or the filmmaker be currently living in Wisconsin.

Throughout the year, we host single screening events to keep our brand alive and fresh. It's our hope to one day be a destination festival for genre fans and film makers alike. 2018 saw us as the largest genre film festival in the state of Wisconsin.

Set in the springtime to set itself apart from the other horror film festivals, the Twisted Dreams Festival is unique. Fall is a crowded time of the year for festivals. Especially in Milwaukee with some very big festivals occurring that time. Plus, horror fans are fans year round and don't just come out during Halloween so, we decided on a spring time event.

Events are broken down into sessions. Short films are a part of "short blocks" running 90-100 minutes, features are their own showcase. Some short blocks will be themed including a block devoted to animation and one devoted to women filmmakers depending on submissions.

Milwaukee is home to many great tourist attractions and draws an audience from all over the country.

Awards & Prizes

An audience and Jury award will be given for Best Feature, Best Short, and Best Wisconsin Short.
Jury consists of a diverse group of people from Genre Fans to professional filmmakers including head of Troma Films Lloyd Kaufman.

Additional Awards will be given for

Best Director Feature
Best Director Short

Best Feature Screenplay
Best Short Screenplay

Best Actor in a Feature
Best Actor in a Short

Best Actress in a Feature
Best Actress in a Short

Best Supporting Actor in a Feature
Best Supporting Actor in a Short

Best Supporting Actress in a Feature
Best Supporting Actress in a Short

Best Ensemble in a Feature
Best Ensemble in a Short

Best Cinematography Feature
Best Cinematography Short

Best Makeup Feature
Best Makeup Short

Rules & Terms

There are many forms horror can take and we screen it all. From traditional horror films to horror comedy, psychological thrillers, science fiction, documentaries, animation, and grindhouse films. If you have a film that has any sense of macabre or disturbing elements we want to screen it.

There is NO 'Film Made By' date. Send us your best work.

EPK's are highly encouraged.

If you are sending us hard copies of submissions whether if for consideration or accepted status and would like it returned, please include a self addressed postage paid mailer.

FORMATS ACCEPTED
Submission copies must be an Online Screener (preferred submission method), DVD, or Blu-Ray (NTSC system only) with a digital file.

DCP is the preferred Exhibition formats accepted but will also accept data digital files.

Please do NOT send .ZIP files!

The rules are basic but necessary. Please take a quick look at the info below before you submit.

I, the undersigned, acknowledge and agree:

I have read, understated and fully comply with all submission eligibility information, Submission Guidelines, Terms and Conditions of Entry and Entry Eligibility requirements.

To the best of my knowledge, all of the statements in this submission are true.
This film or video is not subject to any litigation nor is threatened by any litigation and I am authorized to submit this film to the festival.

I hold Milwaukee Twisted Dreams Film Festival and it's promotion team harmless from any claims of liability anything that might occur during the course of the festival or screening of the film.

I certify that I have full rights to the use of the music, print, images and everything contained in the film and/or promotional materials of the submitted film.

I give permission for Milwaukee Twisted Dreams Film Festival to use stills, titles, copy, and/or information from the film for promotional purposes

I give permission for Milwaukee Twisted Dreams Film Festival to screen the film at the Festival for which it was submitted.
23 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • William Magness

    I wasn't able to attend but there was good communication from the festival staff and I did have a few people reach out after the screening to tell me they enjoyed the film and the festival!

    May 2018
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  • Nick Barrett

    Fantastic festival - they gave us the honour of a Best Supporting Actor award which we're very proud of, put Miwaukee's Twisted Dreams on your submission list - you won't regret it!

    May 2018
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  • Ricardo Tenorio

    Fantastic time at the festival. Everyone was nice and seeing our film on the big screen was amazing. Perfect quality! Shame that there wasn't much time for a longer QnA but overall it was a fantastic experience.

    April 2018
    Helpful
  • Debra Zarne

    This is a really fun festival. My film screened during the Wisconsin block of films, which was followed by a Q&A onstage with the attending filmmakers. The organizers handled everything well, and they've been super-responsive and nice throughout the whole process (before, during and after the festival). The theater was a great venue, and the festival goodies for sale were funky and unique. The festival also offered interesting panel discussions on different days, as well as some colorful side attractions. So glad my film was included in the festival! I highly recommend the Milwaukee Twisted Dreams Film Festival.

    April 2018
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  • Devi Snively

    I'm heartbroken I had to miss this one. I've heard nothing but great things from friends who've attended, and their team is top notch with communication, organization and filmmaker support (hotel discounts, etc too). There's clearly a happening horror scene in Milwaukee (and a female-friendly one to boot!) I will absolutely make it out there next opportunity and you should, too.

    April 2018
    Helpful