Established by MooDude Films CEO / Producer / Director / Michael J. Hein in 2001. The NYCHFF is a week long event that takes place each November at venues throughout New York City. The NYCHFF has grown to be a world recognized event, with industry, filmmakers, and press attention from around the globe.The Hein Family is committed to keeping the festival alive in memory of the truly missed and loved founder Michael J Hein.
The festival is competitive, screening approximately 50-60 films each year.
Awards are given in the following categories:
Best Director
Best Horror Feature Film
Best SCI-FI Feature Film
Best Short Film
Best Screenplay
Best Special Effects
Best Cinematography
Best Sound Design
Best Actor
Best Actress
Audience Choice
- See more at: http://nychorrorfest.com/

Best Director LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Best Feature Film
Best Short Film
Best Screenplay
Best Special Effects
Best Cinematography
Best Sound Design
Best Actor
Best Actress
Audience Choice
Best Sci-Fi Feature Film
Best Sci-Fi Short Film
Unproduced Short
Unproduced Feature
Best Sci-Fi Short Film
Best Horror Comedy Feature
Best Horror Comedy Short

SCREENING and ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
***DCP MUST BE PHYSICAL COPY**
The NYCHFF is an international film festival and accepts films and screenplays from around the globe.

Submissions postmarked later than Sept. 1st will be automatically submitted to the following year. All filmmakers will be notified no later then Oct of each year of submission status. . Before submitting, we encourage filmmakers to research any and all film festivals they intend on submitting to. Film festival fees add up, so please do your homework before submitting to any event! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email us. Lastly, we wish all you filmmakers and writers good luck!

In fairness to all filmmakers, we do not grant waivers.

All features must be minimum of 60 minutes. Shorts no longer than 20 minutes including credits.

1. Film cannot have played VOD or been released on disc or other formats before our festival dates.Please make sure to let us know what your premiere status is if you have one.

2. All DCPs must be picked up after the screening and signed for by the filmmaker. If you attend the festival and do not pick up your DCP, you will be responsible for shipping
charges..
- See more at: http://nychorrorfest.com/submissions/#sthash.quCXOueS.dpuf
3. You may submit multiple entries but each must be accompanied by its own submission form and entry fee.
5. Screening requirements for films selected for exhibition are DCP, back up Bluray, short synopsis of film. Trailers and posters(if available).Director Head shot and bio

6. If your film is selected, you will be notified via email by early October. Please check your contact information.
7. Films must be submitted via Vimeo Link and must be subtitled in English if in any other language.
8. Entry fees are non refundable and must be in U.S. dollars.If eligibility requirements are not met, we reserve the right to disqualify any submission.
9. Films that have had public or festival screenings in the NYC metropolitan area are ineligible..this includes theatrical,commercial, TV.or internet play.
10. Final notification date is October 30th, although we may notify earlier.


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The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless The New York City Horror Film Festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.
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SCREENPLAY COMPETITION RULES
This year, the NYCHFF is launching a Screenplay Competition for budding horror storytellers. Please note that this is for Unproduced Screenplay Submissions Only. If you have submitted a produced feature film or short into this year’s event, it is automatically considered for a Best Screenplay award in the festival.
Feature/Short Screenplay: DEADLINES
Submissions postmarked later than SEPT 1st will be automatically submitted to the following year. All screenwriters will be notified no later than Oct of each year of submission status of selected films.
Before submitting, we encourage entrants to research any and all film festivals they intend on submitting to. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email us. Lastly, we wish all you filmmakers and writers good luck!
In fairness to all entrants, we do not grant waivers.
Eligibility Requirements:
Unproduced status will be one of the factors considered when determining a screenplay’s inclusion in the New York City Horror Film Festival…world, U.S., East Coast.
Feature film or shorts must not have had any commercial, theatrical, TV, internet or festival screenings on the east coast within 6 months of the NYCHFF. Screenplays must not have had any commercial, theatrical, television or internet play in the United States.
Please use our Script Submissions Page on FilmFreeway to submit your materials.
Length: Feature screenplays (85-120 pgs.) / Short screenplays (1-30 pgs.)

The NYCHFF is an international film festival and accepts films and screenplays from around the globe.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Shane Thompson

    A wonderful festival with such a kindhearted atmosphere. I would absolutely recommend the New York City Horror Film Festival to anybody and everybody! This is one you don't want to miss. Thank you to everybody involved. It was a blast! 

    December 2022
  • Scott Bekisz

    I was so honored to have my film, Maschera della Morte play in my home city at NYCHFF. Hands down, the best festival I have ever been a part of. NYCHFF treats filmmakers with such great care & respect and gives them all the support they need. It is well organized and really fosters a great community experience. Such a great time, amazing programming and an awesome team running NYCHFF! Special thanks to Ronnie, Astrudge, Sean, Alan, Brian and the rest of the team for making it a memorable experience.

    December 2022
  • Kat S

    This was an incredible experience for my team and I. Our film Fishbowl not only was selected but we won AUDIENCE CHOICE and we are so over the moon about it!

    Great team
    Great vibe
    So helpful too as we came down from Cabada and needed extra hand holding in NY.
    It was just the best!

    December 2022
  • Nathan Ludwig

    What a great place to have a world premiere! The NYCHFF staff and crew were so amazing and our three directors had a blast at the fest. A major horror film fest right in Manhattan. Plenty to do, plenty to see! What more could you want from a genre fest? Our films WORST LAID PLANS is in great shape and off to a great start in our festival run. Thank you for the BEST SPECIAL EFFECTS win!

    December 2022
  • Sophia Cacciola & Michael J. Epstein

    Awesome fest run by awesome people in a great location. Definitely submit and attend!!!

    December 2022