The Port of Fear Film Festival RETURNS.

Fear is Here for Part II for an event that is bigger, badder, and more horrifying than before!

The Port of Fear Film Festival is a hybrid event, featuring films from across the planet, and highlighting local filmmakers. We've crafted a festival in the most WISCONSIN sense, by bringing on horror themed vendors, food trucks, and artists to bring the absolute best experience to attendees. We are here for the FILMMAKERS, seeking to do what we all want, and expose audiences to original tales from Independent Filmmakers from around the world! But don't take our word for it:

"I was gonna start this review with "For a first time film fest" but that wouldn't be fair. If this was their 10th festival, it was still AWESOME!" Michael Ricci - The Greeting

"We had a wonderfully engaged audience that made our screening feel very special. Huge thanks to the Port of Fear Team!" Ben Fritz - What I Did For Love

"What a great festival to be a part of. The organization and communication was very direct and professional." Kevin Lightsey - Road Trip

We want the absolute best from the Horror, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Thriller genres in short and feature film categories. We especially want to highlight films from LGBTQIA filmmakers, women, and people of color. There are no expiration dates on films, and we encourage filmmakers to submit, no matter how old their films may be. If you have an amazingly creepy, spooky, haunting, chilling, unsettling, funky, weird, or...well you get the idea...SUBMIT.

Local Wisconsin filmmakers will see their submission fee is waived if the film was made in Wisconsin, or if it was made by filmmakers currently residing in Wisconsin.

We are excited to continue this festival into 2023. We will bring on more filmmakers, more vendors, and a wider audience for a one of a kind event in Kenosha, WI!

Awards & Prizes

A panel consisting of genre fans and professional filmmakers will decide on awards for:

Best Horror Feature
Best Sci-Fi Feature,
Best Fantasy Feature
Best Thriller Feature
Best International Feature
Best Wisconsin Feature
Best Horror Short
Best Sci-Fi Short
Best Fantasy Short
Best Thriller Short
Best International Short
Best Wisconsin Short
Best LGBTQ Film
Best Women's Film
Audience Choice Award!

Rules & Terms

We want your very best genre shorts and features.

If sending hard copies for submissions, be it for consideration or accepted status, and would like it returned, please include a self-addressed postage paid mailer.

FORMATS ACCEPTED

Submission copies must be an Online Screener (preferred submission method), DVD, or Blu-Ray (NTSC system only) with a digital file.

A H.264 video is the preferred Exhibition formats accepted but will also accept other data digital files.

Please do NOT send .ZIP files!

When final films are selected, filmmakers may be contacted for alternative film formats for programming purposes.

Once films are submitted, no alterations may be made unless given approval by Port of Fear Film Festival programmers.

Please read the following informations before submitting.

I, the undersigned, acknowledge and agree:

I have read, understand and fully comply with all submission eligibility information, Submission Guidelines, Terms and Conditions of Entry and Entry Eligibility requirements.

To the best of my knowledge, all of the statements in this submission are true.
This film or video is not subject to any litigation nor is threatened by any litigation and I am authorized to submit this film to the festival.

I hold Port of Fear Film Festival and its promotion team harmless from any claims of liability for anything that may occur during the course of the festival or screening of the film.

I certify that I have full rights to the use of the music, print, images and everything contained in the film and/or promotional materials of the submitted film.

I give permission for Port of Fear Film Festival to use stills, titles, copy, and/or information from the film for promotional purposes

I give permission for Port of Fear Film Festival to screen the film at the festival for which it was submitted.
4 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Kevin Lightsey

    What a great festival to be a part of. The organization and communication was very direct and professional. Enjoyed meeting people from different states and cities. Look forward to being a part of it again next year.

    August 2022
    Helpful
  • David L Bradburn

    What a great festival. Not many festivals in their first year get as many quality films. A great team run the fest. I will submit again.

    August 2022
    Helpful
  • michael ricci

    I was gonna start this review w/ "For a first time film fest" but that wouldn't be fair. If this was their 10th festival, it was still AWESOME!

    GREAT organization, a welcoming atmosphere, a perfect location and amazing local promotion meant a very well attended, smooth as silk presentation and an absolute joy to be a part of. THANK YOU Port of Fear, that was a great day. :)

    August 2022
    Helpful
  • Ben Fritz

    There's a great new festival in Southern Wisconsin, and Port of Fear is here! Really enjoyed this event, the people, the community, and a beautiful venue right on Lake Michigan! We had a wonderfully engaged audience that made our screening feel very special. Huge thanks to the Port of Fear Team!

    August 2022
    Helpful