"The World's 50 Best Genre Festivals"
- Moviemaker Magazine

"The Best Horror Festivals in the World"
- Dread Central

"Top 100 Best Reviewed Festivals"
- FilmFreeway

"Brilliantly showcases the breadth and quality of genre work being produced worldwide"
- Entertainment Weekly

"One of the most exciting festivals emerging in the US"
- Daily Dead

"Brings the latest and greatest in genre cinema from around the globe"
- Bloody Disgusting

"A natural gateway for the best in genre films from around the world"
- Screen Anarchy

Popcorn Frights Film Festival, the Southeast United States largest international genre film festival, will celebrate its ninth year on August 10-20, 2023. Over the last years, Popcorn Frights has been declared one of "The World's 50 Best Genre Festivals" by Moviemaker Magazine, recognized as one of the "The Best Horror Festivals in the World" by Dread Central, and noted as one of the "Top 100 Best Reviewed Festivals" by FilmFreeway.

In 2022, Popcorn Frights hosted a hybrid festival that attracted more than 10,000 filmgoers, as well as more than 50 filmmakers, producers, talent, and industry professionals to its eleven-day summer event of inspiring films, panels, and parties.

This year, Popcorn Frights will expand on its partnership with the genre streaming platform ALTER by creating the "ALTER Screening Room" located in the heart of Miami Beach with ALTER representatives in attendance to host and moderate industry panels and sessions. ALTER will also consider all short films premiering at Popcorn Frights for distribution on its online platform.

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, Adam Egypt Mortimer, Scott Beck & Bryan Woods, Lucky McKee, Carter Smith, Nia DaCosta, Travis Stevens, Graham Skipper, Joe Lynch, Ruby Rose, Timo Tjahjanto, Colin Minihan, Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead, Mickey Keating, Darren Lynn Bousman, and horror legends Alex Proyas, Mick Garris, Chuck Russell, Barbara Crampton, Mary Harron, and Larry Fessenden have attended, participated, and premiered their films at the Popcorn Frights Film Festival.

We revel in discovering new talent. We don’t discriminate: shorts, features, documentaries, animation, film, and video — all are welcome submissions. Join us for a screaming good time in our magic city! 10,000 fans can't be wrong!

Awards & Prizes

Jury Prize for Best Feature Film
Jury Prize for Scariest Feature Film
Jury Prize for Best Short Film
Jury Prize for Scariest Short Film
Jury Prize for Best Florida Film
Jury Prize for Best New Nightmare
Audience Award for Feature Film
Audience Award for Short Film

Rules & Terms

The 9th annual Popcorn Frights Film Festival will take place August 10-20, 2023

1. Submission Deadlines
Submissions will be accepted from September 5, 2022. The final deadline is July 10, 2023. Early entry is encouraged but in no way guarantees acceptance.

2. Submission Eligibility
- All submissions must have been completed after January 1, 2022.
- Popcorn Frights requires at least a Florida Premiere for any feature or short film.
- Works-in-progress are accepted.

3. Premiere Status
Feature Films and Short Films must be at least Florida Premieres: they must not have been released in the state of Florida on any format, nor screened publicly online.

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 may be used as well.

6. Scheduling
No film may be withdrawn from the festival program after its selection nor add screening fees.
97 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Patrick Rea

    Popcorn Frights was fantastic. They took a chance with our feature and I really appreciated it. Their communication was always super clear from the start and they did a fantastic job of promoting the screening. I can't wait to submit again!

    September 2022
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  • Kyra Gardner

    This was my first year being able to experience PopcornFrights in person due to covid. Marc and Igor are exceptional at communicating every step of the process and schedule to the filmmakers. I felt very taken care of with my film and as a filmmaker. Although the venue may feel a little small, it is large in quality of people attending the festival. It was so nice to have little events planned for filmmakers to connect with one another as well. I would say what sets this festival apart is definitely how much Marc, Igor, and the whole Popcorn team are dedicated to every filmmaker's experience - keeping in contact prior to the festival with any needs or questions as well as during and after. Can't wait to come back here with another film!

    August 2022
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  • Tim Luna

    Popcorn Frights FF rocks. Very good and easy communication and were absolutely delighted to be included in this years festival. Since I couldn't come this year myself, I hope to stop by in the next few years. Saludos de Mexico!! - from the entire "Hunger" team.

    August 2022
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  • Nicholas Long

    This festival was an absolutely amazing experience, and I was honored that my first short film, Pest, got selected to be included among so many amazing works of art. Marc, Igor, and the team are so passionate and courteous it truly is infectious. Everyone at the festival really loves movies and respects the filmmaking process involved in every film. I highly recommend everyone attends Popcorn Frights when they can, and you'll see why it is one of the best festivals in the world. In the end, I really hope I get the chance to return with another film sometime soon!

    August 2022
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  • Eric Pennycoff

    Great festival, wonderful staff and an excellent taste in movies.

    August 2022
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