Wisconsin's PREMIERE genre film festival returns for a 8th year!

The Milwaukee Twisted Dreams Film Festival returns in 2023 with an exciting new experience. 2022 saw Lloyd Kaufman and Brinke Stevens visiting, the Milwaukee premiere of Lloyd's #ShakesphereShitstorm, the US premiere of African Kung Fu Nazis, a screening of the 1922 Nosferatu featuring iconic local punk band RatBatSpider performing a brand new, original rock score live and many other unique and original offerings. Truly, this is a one of a kind film festival!

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

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.

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 local films, comedy, animation, and sci-fi.

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.

Additional Awards will be given in a variety of categories (ex. directing, acting, screenplay)

Rules & Terms

We want your very best horror / Sci- Fi and Fantasy shorts and features.

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.

A H.264 video is the preferred Exhibition formats accepted but will also accept other 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.
43 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
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  • CK Love

    I was thrilled to learn that my short film, The Lingering, would screen at the festival. Everyone was so great and the calibre of talent was high. Honoured to be included.

    October 2022
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  • Jay Kay

    It was an honor to have No Good Deed screen at one of the premiere genre festivals in the U.S. Thank you to the MTDFF team for having us!!!

    October 2022
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  • Ryan Thiessen

    Big thank you to the festival team for selecting NIGHT SHIFT at this year’s fest. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to attend in person, but the selection and delivery process was very smooth with great communication. I wish you all the very best and hope to submit again in the future!

    October 2022
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  • Ryan Cauchi

    One of the best genre film festivals out there! Great communication and hospitality - they're a team that care about the filmmakers. I can not recommend them enough.

    October 2021
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  • Timothy Nennig

    Really enjoyed the structure of this festival. Even being virtual due to covid19, it seemed well structured and full of cool content. They also offered a friendly virtual Q&A and a great layout on their website. Highly reccomended festival and I hope they will be in person next year!

    June 2021
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