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

April 9-15, 2026 Screenland Armour North Kansas City, MO

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.

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 (ie: 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 Rewind Video and Dive located in the basement of the theatre.

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

***We DO NOT offer submission waivers***
***Not All Films Screen In Person. A selection will be in our expanded virtual fest. ***

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

Long Form Shorts - Best of Show
Best Director - Long Form Shorts
Best Actor - Long Form Shorts
Best Actress - Long Form Shorts
Best Special FX or Creature - Long Form Shorts

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

Films must be from 2025-2026 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: 36 minutes (max)
Feature Film Running Time: 125 minutes (max)

Submission does not guarantee entry into festival. Filmmakers will be notified no later than February 20, 2026 if their film has be accepted into the festival. Not all selections screen in person.

***We DO NOT offer submission waivers***
117 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Alan Sanchez

    An amazing festival even with a virtual only screening. Lots of networking opportunities too due to their promoting of our film on socials that helped with word of mouth. It felt like a blast even from home!! Tim and Adam along with the rest of the panic team curated amazing blocks that flowed really well! Highly recommend and look forward to the next one!

    May 2026
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  • Alexandra Hayden

    We participated in Panic Fest this year with our short Wall Udder and while we were unable to attend in-person we heard glowing reviews from our friends who made it. The festival made sure all filmmakers felt included with their slate of virtual programming and the festival led to some great networking for us. Highly recommended!

    May 2026
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  • Andrew Gibbs

    It was a huge honor for Manifest to be selected in this years fest. Panic Fest is one of those bucket list festivals, so I was excited to be in. Awesome communication, great coverage, and even better people. Will definitely send future work over. Thanks again!

    May 2026
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  • Bo Webb

    Had a great time at Panic Fest! So fun to be in a crowd that really cares, that’s really engaged. Every screening got an enthusiastic reception which is why we’re all there in the first place. Met some great actors and a bunch of indie filmmakers who all do it for the love. Plus short film trading cards!

    April 2026
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  • Casey De Fremery

    My film “My Severed Arm” had its world premiere in the online portion of PF, my first time with the festival. While I wasn’t able to make it in person, I was really astounded with their communication, help with exposing us to journalists covering the event, and overall care for the experience! My film ended up winning Best Short Film and I was floored when I found out. They foster a great community and would be stoked to screen there again!

    April 2026
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