Wisconsin's PREMIERE genre film festival returns for a 6th year!

"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

We are looking for your best shorts and features in the horror / sci-fi or fantasy genres.

After 2 years of being virtual 2022 is the year we get back to live events at the historic AVALON theater in Milwaukee, WI. In addition to screening great films we will have panel discussions, film maker Q&A's, and entertainment planned for 2022. We will also have more surprises that always make our event more than just a film festival.

We have had celebrity judges such as JOE BOB BRIGGS and LLOYD KAUFMAN. In 2019 we welcomed JOE BOB BRIGGS and his one man show "HOW REDNECKS SAVED HOLLYWOOD" and SHATTERED our attendance records. Sold out screenings and well documented press coverage made us the LARGEST genre film festival in Wisconsin! The Milwaukee Twisted Dreams Film Festival is bigger and better than ever! 2019 saw us host a number of films from across the globe as well as live performances from a live punk band, RATBATSPIDER to an authentic Spook Show 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 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.

2022 sees our festival move to October which is the perfect season to get together with friends to see genre films on the big screen in a dark theatre.

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.
40 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • 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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  • Angel Suarez

    Great festival hosted by great people. A must in your festival tour.

    September 2020
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  • Chet Turner

    It has not been held yet and I have heard nothing from the organizers

    August 2020
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    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Hi Chet, we have sent a number of emails via Film Freeway to our selected film makers with updates during the shut down. Since our venue is still closed due to the COVId-19 pandemic, we have been working diligently behind the scenes on alternative options. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

  • Steve Reverand

    While we were sadly not able to attend, the communication with the team was excellent. And we were able to follow the event on social media. Finally, we were extremely honored to receive a Best Cinematography award. We all hope to make it next week!

    April 2019
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