NAMED ONE OF THE BEST GENRE FEST IN THE WORLD BY MOVIEMAKER MAGAZINE & DREAD CENTRAL!

Our 2024 event will once again be both a hybrid and in-theater theater experience along with a virtual online festival.

In-Person Festival: April TBA (Screenland Armour)
Virtual Festival: April TBA (Eventive / Gather)

Join us as we bring the Panic! to Kansas City. Held in the historic Screenland Armour theater our film festival features horror, thriller and sci-fi films.

Some of the films we debuted in previous festivals include Elijah Wood’s Maniac remake, What We Do in the Shadows (North American Debut), Vicious Fun (U.S. Premiere) Dark Was the Night and many more.

In addition to our feature film lineup we also host a short film showcases that attendees vote for the best of fest. Our festival features live podcast shows (Last Podcast on the Left, Movie Crypt, Generation Why and Cult Podcast.) and Q&A sessions after select films.

Take a break from the action and check out some of our amazing vendors or vintage arcade games.

All of this brought to you by Screenland Theaters in collaboration with DownrightCreepy.com

***We DO NOT offer submission waivers***

Awards & Prizes

AWARDS:*
Best Director - Feature Film
Best Feature Film
Best Independent Feature Film
Best Special FX or Creature - Feature Film
Audience Choice - Feature Film
Best Actress - Feature Film
Best Actor - Feature Film

Short Film Showcase - Best of Show
Best Director - Short Film
Best Actor - Short Film
Best Actress - Short Film
Best Special FX or Creature - Short FIlm

*Voted By Festival Attendees

***We DO NOT offer submission waivers***

Rules & Terms

Short films must be from 2023-2024 without regular release date. Films do not need to be in finished state to submit, please mark these as WIP (Work in Progress) Submission.

Only one short may be submitted per filmmaker.

Non-English language films must have subtitles burned.

By submitting your film you agree to supply a screener for approved members of the press.

Short Film Running Time: 16 minutes (max)
Longform Short Film Running Time: 30 minutes (max)
Feature Film Running Time: 125 minutes (max)

Submission does not guarantee entry into festival. Filmmakers will be notified no later than March 10th, 2024 if their film has be accepted into the festival.

***We DO NOT offer submission waivers***
60 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Izzy Lee

    LOVED Panic Fest. Nearly everyone attending is there for the joy of film, both fans, filmmakers, and reviewers. This festival re-invigorated me and if you get a chance to go, you should. Cool theater, too!

    May 2023
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  • Brian Otting

    A world class genre festival. Excellent communication, great films, and very cool people.

    May 2023
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  • Tony Hipwell

    A truly brilliant genre festival. Great coms and attention to filmmakers with really appreciated care to online audience. A killer line up to be part of!

    May 2023
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  • Krsy Fox

    Panic Fest is one of the best festivals hands down. They treat their filmmakers and guests amazing and it’s such a great time. This was our second year being a part of it and we hope to go every year. It’s a real community and family. Filmmakers and film fans hang at the theater all day because the quality of the films and the great social environment. Showcasing your film or short there you know it’s going to get a ton of coverage and attention. Adam and Tim the festival owners go out of their way for every single film selected. Do not miss Panic Fest!

    May 2023
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  • Peter Ahern

    Awesome festival experience! Excellent programming, special screenings/guests, events, after parties, filmmaker meet ups and a friendly community make this one of the most fun and exciting film festivals we've had the pleasure of attending with our short Buzzkill. There's plenty to do and see, plus the festival's home-base theater is a very cool venue/bar! Organizers have a clear and deep love for genre films and crafting a memorable film-going experience.

    April 2023
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