Gruesome Guts. Gorgeous Lighting.

Out Of The Cellar Horror Film Festival is a boutique, filmmaker-first short film festival celebrating the diverse interpretations of the horror genre.

Our host, Count Gore De Vol, will kick us off on Friday, the 13th of November, with a live Creature Feature experience. Saturday, November 14, 2026 is a full day packed with horror short film screenings.

Legendary horror host icon Count Gore De Vol has the longest running Creature Feature show on the internet, starting in the 70's and 80's on WDCA Channel 20 in Washington DC and having a revival in 1999, mid 2010's and today.

Films are selected and evaluated based on:
• Strong Cinematic Craft
• Distinct Creative Voice
• Fundamentals of the Horror Genre and Subgenres
• Diversity in Characters & Perspectives
• Clever use of Practical Effects in Storytelling

Awards & Prizes

Awards & Recognition

Juried Short Film Award – This award is selected by an independent panel of judges and recognizes outstanding achievement in storytelling, direction, performance, and technical craft. This award reflects the same core values celebrated by major cinematic institutions and is independent of audience voting.

The Juried Short Film Award winner will receive a guest spot on Count Gore De Vol's Creature Feature show.

OOTC48 Best of Show - Those participating in the OOTC 48-Hour Horror Film Challenge will screen in its own block and have its own award. This category is not eligible for the Juried Short Film Award.

Audience Choice Award - Every film screening at the festival is eligible for the Audience Choice Award. This is determined by those who attend the festival and fill out an in-person ballot after each block.

Staffer’s Choice Award - Every film screening at the festival is eligible for the Staffer’s Choice Award. This is determined by those who are part of the OOTC Staff.

There will also be some fun categories, the likes of:
Best Last Breath
Best Blood Splatter
Best Creature Bite
Best Non Jump Scare

All selected filmmakers receive Official Selection Laurels.

All Festival winners will receive Official Winner’s Laurels and promotional features on the festival’s website and social channels.

We are working on some fun tangible awards, so follow us on social media to keep updated.

Rules & Terms

ELIGIBILITY

• Films must fit within the horror genre. Your interpretation of horror is what we want to see.
• Films must be produced no more than 2 years prior to the festival.
• Current students may submit for free to the First Bite, You’re Next and Witching Hour deadlines.
• Entrants must be 18 years of age or older.
• Student filmmakers will need to include proof of current enrollment if selected.
• Those registered and complete submission of the OOTC48 horror film challenge receive free submission and screening at the festival.
• Subtitles Language: English
• All clearances, rights, and permissions must be secured by the filmmaker.
• We are not accepting AI produced films at this time.
• Short films are considered to be under 40 minutes in length, including credits.

EXIHIBITION FORMAT

• DCP or HD digital file for in-person screenings.
• Include 5 seconds of padding before and after the film.

RULES
• For each entry submitted, one (1) additional data disc or data folder containing film artwork (poster, etc.) may be submitted as well.
• Online links are acceptable for preliminary submission, but upon acceptance a DCP or HD file or copy in either disc or digital form must be received by 25/09/26, or the film will be dropped from the program.
• One (1) film per disc and one (1) film per submission form please. If entering multiple films, please submit each project separately.
• Submission fees are non-refundable.
• The festival reserves the right to use film stills and excerpts for promotional purposes.
• Screening formats: high-quality digital file either MP4 or Digital Cinema Package.
• Works-in-progress are not accepted.
• All submissions must be made through FilmFreeway.

SELECTION & SCREENING
• Selection does not guarantee in-person screening if technical requirements are not met.
• All entries are viewed and screened by the festival programming team and an independent panel of judges.
• Submission does not guarantee screening. We have a 3:1 submission to acceptance rate. We follow similar standards as IMdB, BAFTA and the Academy.
• Selected films will be notified by October 1, 2026.
• Official selections will screen during the in-person festival on November 14, 2026, at the Chabot Theater in Castro Valley, CA.
• OOTC48 Challenge participants will automatically be screened at the festival.

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

By submitting, you affirm that:

• You hold all necessary rights to the film, including music, visuals, and underlying works.
• You grant Out Of The Cellar, LLC the right to exhibit your film during the festival and use excerpts, stills, or trailers for promotional purposes.
• All filmmakers retain full ownership and copyright of their works.
• The festival does not pay screening fees for submitted films.

DISTRIBUTION & PROMOTION

The winner of the Juried Short Film Awards will be contacted by Count Gore De Vol directly. If awarded, you grant Out Of The Cellar, LLC to divulge your contact information to The Count.

Selected films may be included in post-festival highlight reels or future promotional content.

Recorded live events will be used in promotional content.

LIABILITY

Out Of The Cellar, LLC and its organizers are not responsible for any unauthorized duplication or online piracy of submitted materials.

While all reasonable precautions are taken, filmmakers acknowledge that submission is at their own risk.

FINAL NOTE

By submitting your film, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to the Rules & Terms of the Out Of The Cellar Horror Film Festival.