Celebrating 25 Years in 2024!

Created in 1999, The NEVERMORE Film Festival is an International juried competition festival which programs brand-new genre feature and short films from around the world. The festival seeks submissions for horror, science fiction, animation (horror/sci-fi themed), and mystery/suspense.

Nevermore has been selected as a "Top 100 Best Reviewed Film Festivals" by FilmFreeway and "One of the Best Horror Film Festivals in the World" by Dread Central.

We are NOT seeking dramas or comedies (unless they have a definitive horror or sci-fi theme), documentaries, or "crime" thrillers (Pulp Fiction, gangster films; you get the idea.)

More than 1500 features and shorts have screened at the festival in its 25 year run. It has gained an international reputation as one of the premiere genre festivals in the United States.

Nevermore has hosted many artists over the years. The festival is a great place for artists to network. An Artist Luncheon is held on the Saturday morning of the festival for artists to meet and mingle with one another.

Awards & Prizes

JURY AWARDS (Categories vary by year according to eligible entries)
Best Feature
Best Animated Film (Feature or Short)
Best Short (1-19 min; US/Canada)
Best Short (1-19 min; International)
Best Horror-Comedy Short
Best Science Fiction Short

AUDIENCE AWARDS (Categories vary by year according to eligible entries)
Best Feature
Best Short (1-19 min; US/Canada)
Best Short (1-19 min; International)
Best Animated Short

Rules & Terms

The DEADLINE to submit a SHORT (1-54 min) is November 30, 2023. Beyond that date, we are only accepting FEATURES (55 min+).

In 2024, Nevermore will be a Hybrid Festival, meaning that certain programs will be available at BOTH the in-person festival as well as the Virtual Festival. All SHORTS (1-54 min) will appear at both versions of the festival. Features (55 min+) can opt-out of the virtual edition.

Nevermore is seeking new narrative feature and short films that have NOT yet been released (or planned to be released) on streaming services, DVD/BluRay, or other pay services prior to March 1, 2024. VOD is acceptable. (If your feature film is ONLY available for purchase on your website but NOT on any other service such as Amazon, etc., it is indeed eligible.)

Films that are 2+ years or older are ineligible.

Short films that are available on Youtube, Vimeo or other media services are indeed eligible.

Nevermore does NOT accept unsolicited documentaries. Nevermore does NOT accept music videos or similar.

EXHIBITION FORMATS:
All films, regardless of length, are digitally projected. Digital files must be in DCP, .mp4, Apple ProRes, .mov, .avi, or .wmv formats.

FILM CONTENT WARNINGS:
If your film contains scenes of graphic hardcore sexual material, rape, or simulated animal torture, please notify us as such on your submission listing. Certain jury members are sensitive to this content. If we are unable to "flag" these submissions in advance for committee members, your film may be rejected due to low scores. It is better to forewarn us in advance so we can notify jury members rather than catch them off-guard.

ARTIST TRANSPORTATION:
If accepted, Nevermore does NOT pay for artist transportation such as airfare, train, etc. We also do not coordinate travel arrangements with International Cultural Agencies.

87 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Volition Production

    Nevermore is one of my favorite festivals. The whole team is so welcoming and passionate about what they do. The festival programming is top notch and they’re very communicative. Thank you for being so wonderful, Jim, Chuck & team!

    March 2024
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  • Mart Sander

    Nevermore 2024 was probably one of the best festivals I've ever attended. The amazing venue (the 1920s glorious cinema palace), incredible hospitality (free drinks and food!) and a great ambience is an experience I would like to relive again and again. And, the fact that my film won the Audience Award doesn't hurt either. Definitely going back when I have a new film to present! Cheers!

    March 2024
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  • Kyle Perritt

    Unfortunately we were unable to attend Nevermore with our short Robbie Ain't Right No More, but even from afar you could see that they put a ton of care and passion into this fest along with the technical know-how to ensure that every filmmaker there would have both a great experience and a flawless screening.
    We knew we were in good hands after just one conversation with Jim and we suffered from some serious FOMO while keeping up with the festival via social media.
    This is one we definitely want to make it to in the future.

    March 2024
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  • Sarah Herrman

    From Chuck's IG review to the filmmaker party at Bull McCabe's - we're thrilled our short had its World Premiere at Nevermore. Jim, Chuck, Kim, John, Ronnie and the whole team put such care into every aspect of this festival and we cannot recommend it enough.

    March 2024
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  • Stu Silverman

    I loved my time at Nevermore, having met so many wonderful people, and watched so many incredible films! The communication was awesome and the team created a warm, welcoming environment for all of us out-of-towners. As an added bonus, the impressively well-researched write-up from Chuck Wheeler was super fun and a great souvenir.

    The icing on the cake was an Audience Award for our short, THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS. 🙏

    Thanks, Team Nevermore! 🖤

    March 2024
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