Popcorn Frights Film Festival, Florida's largest international genre film festival, will celebrate its fourth year this August 10-16, 2018. The Festival is hosted in a state of the art theater that was formerly a Methodist Church in the 1940s and still retains its stained glass windows.

Popcorn Frights showcases features and shorts by filmmakers from around the world to an audience of horror lovers and filmmakers, industry, and journalists. Amongst others, Graham Skipper, Joe Lynch, Neil Marshall, Greg McLean, Colin Minihan, Lucky McKee, Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead, Trent Haaga, Mickey Keating, and Darren Lynn Bousman have premiered their films at the Popcorn Frights Film Festival before they went on to win awards and broader recognition.

We revel in discovering new talent. We don’t discriminate: shorts, features, documentaries, animation, film, and video — all are welcome submissions.

What filmmakers are saying:

"Popcorn Frights is an incredible community of the most passionate fans that the genre has to offer, and I am so thrilled and honored to have been able to show my films there. If you're itching for a killer festival with an amazing lineup, look no further." --Mickey Keating, director of PSYCHOPATHS

"Everyone at Popcorn Frights took incredible care of me, and made me feel at home from the second I walked through the doors. They care about cinema, filmmakers, and making sure everyone — audience and artist alike — has a fantastic time. I loved playing there and will do so again in a heartbeat." --Graham Skipper, director of SEQUENCE BREAK

"Popcorn Frights offers the very best in genre programming in Florida or any other state. A festival not to be missed!" --Jackson Stewart, director of BEYOND THE GATES

"These guys are so on top of it. Passionate, enthusiastic and knowledgeable, of course; but beyond that, organized and dedicated to promoting and championing their films. Popcorn Frights guarantees a film finds its audience, and that the audience has a blast. It’s a perfect place to be." --Bill Watterson, director of DAVE MADE A MAZE

"They’ve really put together something special here. If you have a chance to make it out to Popcorn Frights, do it. This is one of the good ones." --Brandon Christensen, director of STILL/BORN

"Lights! Camera! Horror! Popcorn Frights Film Festival is everything your fiendish heart could ever desire…and more!" --Justin Seaman, director of THE BARN

"Sun, Sand and Horror. Popcorn Frights rocks and is one of the best festivals for indie horror!" --Padraig Reynolds, director of THE DEVIL'S DOLLS

"I couldn't have been happier with the way Popcorn Frights handled our Florida Premiere. It's a fresh and exciting festival run by movie fans for movie fans and you can't ask for more. It's a pleasure to work with them and they make you feel like you're part of the family instantly. I'm excited to see what they have in store for us next year!" --Alistair Legrand, director of THE DIABOLICAL

"It was such a pleasure for HOWL to play at the very first Popcorn Frights film festival in Miami, and what lovely organizers, and a huge thanks to the whole Popcorn Frights team, all of who showed a true passion for the genre, I can’t wait to show another film there!" --Paul Hyett, director of HOWL

Awards & Prizes

Best Feature Film Award
Best Short Film Award

Rules & Terms

The 4th annual Popcorn Frights Film Festival will take place August 10-16, 2018

1. Submission Deadlines
Submissions will be accepted from November 1st 2017. The deadline is June 8, 2018 . Early
entry is encouraged but in no way guarantees acceptance.

2. Submission Eligibility
- All submissions must have been completed after January 1, 2017.
- Popcorn Frights requires at least a Florida Premiere for any feature film.
- There is no premiere policy for short films.
- Works-in-progress are accepted.

3. Premiere Status
- Feature Films must be at least Florida Premieres: they must not have been released in the Florida on any format, nor screened publicly online.
- There is no Premiere policy for short films.

4. Selection of Films
Submissions are reviewed and selected under the following criteria:
- Quality of narrative and production values
- Independent nature of the production

5. Festival Screenings
Popcorn Frights has the capability to screen Digital Cinema Package (DCP). Blu-ray will be used as well. Please clearly label whether your film is PAL or NTSC.

6. Scheduling
No film may be withdrawn from the festival program after its selection.
1 Review
Overall Rating
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  • Marc Cartwright

    This is one of the great festivals you want your film played at. They have impeccable communication and really care about filmmakers. The festival gets great press which brings attention to the films they play. Do yourself a favor and submit!!

    August 2017
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