"The World's 50 Best Genre Festivals"
- Moviemaker Magazine
"The Best Horror Festivals in the World 2021"
- Dread Central
"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 seventh year August 12-20, 2021. The Festival is hosted in a state of the art theater that was formerly a Methodist Church in the 1940s. Popcorn Frights was declared in 2020 as one of "The World's 50 Best Genre Festivals" by Moviemaker Magazine and recognized as one of the "The Best Horror Festivals in the World" by Dread Central.
The Festival is proud to continue its partnership with Gunpowder & Sky’s horror brand, ALTER. Selected short films will be eligible for review for distribution on the 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, Nia DaCosta, Travis Stevens, Graham Skipper, Joe Lynch, Ruby Rose, Timo Tjahjanto, Colin Minihan, Lucky McKee, Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead, Mickey Keating, Darren Lynn Bousman, and horror legends Mick Garris, Chuck Russell, Barbara Crampton, Mary Harron, and Larry Fessenden, among many others, 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.
What filmmakers are saying:
"If you want to experience what film festivals are supposed to be -- attend Popcorn Frights. They approach curation as fans, yet don’t lose sight of what it is all about -- their community. That balance ensures programming that has something for everyone and even a few things that aren’t for some. Backed-up by a volunteer staff that makes you feel like part of the family, this is a fest that makes filmmakers and patrons want to come back for more." --Andre Gower, director of WOLFMAN'S GOT NARDS
"Had a fantastic time at Popcorn Frights, a rare experience hosted by film aficionados who are informed, aware artists themselves. I highly recommend it as a place for new filmmakers to break bread (and wine) with seasoned vets and enjoy sharing their love of thrills in cinema." --Chuck Russell, director of A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3
"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 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
"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, Z
Jury Prize for Best Feature Film
Jury Prize for Scariest Feature Film
Jury Prize for Best Short Film
Jury Prize for Scariest Short Film
Audience Award for Feature Film
Audience Award for Short Film
