Dear Iranian and international screenwriters,
We extend our greetings to all participants of the Montreal Horror Film Festival.
As many of you know, this festival is organized under the direction of Ehsan Aslani, an Iranian-Canadian filmmaker, and has proudly welcomed the participation of numerous Iranian screenwriters alongside international voices.
It is with profound sorrow that we share devastating news. We have recently learned that a number of participants—artists who carried within them a deep passion for freedom, creativity, and human dignity—have tragically lost their lives in Iran.
At this time, we are unable to establish communication with several participants, and this uncertainty weighs heavily on us. The festival strongly condemns the violence and repression carried out by the Khamenei regime—acts that are beyond words and that have led to irreparable loss.
In light of these events, several festival dates and timelines will be postponed. Updated dates will be announced in due course.
We honor and remember these individuals with deep respect. Their voices, their stories, and their courage will not be forgotten.
As a gesture of remembrance, all certificates issued by the festival will be dedicated to their memory. We remain deeply grateful for their participation, their talent, and their presence among us.
We hope that one day, in a future shaped by freedom, we will gather again and remember them not only in sorrow—but in dignity, in light, and in the enduring power of storytelling.
With respect,
Montreal Horror Film Festival (MHFF)
In the first year, we will only be accepting screenplays for competition. However, in the following year, we plan to include short films as well. The reason for this phased approach is that our current screening resources are limited. By next year, we aim to collaborate with major Canadian festivals to expand our screening capacity.
As professional filmmakers, we deeply value the work and time invested in every creative project. For this first edition, we will be able to support only one selected screenplay for limited production. Providing access to essential equipment particularly lighting and key filming tools—can serve as strong encouragement for a talented emerging filmmaker, which is exactly what I have always aimed to achieve.
In addition to the honorary diplomas that will be awarded to the festival winners, we will also work closely with them to help refine and further develop their screenplays, preparing them for full production. The festival will provide the nominee with an opportunity to bring their project to life offering access to basic equipment and essential production tools needed to realize their vision.During our first year, we will not be offering a monetary prize; however, we are actively considering this option for future editions.
