The Port of Fear is here for Part III: an event that is bigger, badder, and more horrifying than before!

The Port of Fear Film Festival is the fastest growing genre film festival in the Midwest. We are a hybrid event, featuring films from across the planet, and highlighting Midwest filmmakers. We've crafted a festival that brings together horror themed vendors, food trucks, and artists to deliver the best possible experience for attendees.

We are seeking 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 a disturbingly creepy, spooky, mind bending, or unsettling film, you must SUBMIT to FEAR.

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

We are excited to bring this festival into the fall of 2024 in beautiful downtown Kenosha, WI (birth place of Orson Welles), right on the shores of Lake Michigan.

A panel consisting of genre fans, academics, and professional filmmakers will convene 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
Queer for Fear Award (Best LGBTQ Film)
Siren’s Award (Best Women's Film)
Leviathan Award (Best Movie Monster)
Audience Choice Award!

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, clips, trailers, copy, and/or information from the film for the Port of Fear program guide, on the Port of Fear website, and for any promotional purposes which Port of Fear deems appropriate.

I give permission for Port of Fear Film Festival to screen the film at the festival for which it was submitted with no expectation of a screening fee.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Joella Goyette

    Thank you so much for selecting our film, Stitched, to be included in the 2024 festival lineup! My co-director and I had the most amazing time attending our very first Port of Fear. Everyone was so nice and accommodating and the films, vendors, and the venue were all incredible. It was a truly great weekend for getting to indulge in all things horror, see some amazing films, and even talk to some of the talented filmmakers! We would definitely love to return in the future!

    September 2024
  • John FreelyKirk

    Port of Fear is a wonderful festival that every filmmaker should submit their work to! David, Jeannette and the whole team brought their A game and created a one of a kind festival! The Spooky Market featured some truly incredible oddities for purchase and the film selection was top notch. It was an honor to have "The Starlight Motel" premiere here and I can't wait to submit future work for 2025!

    September 2024
  • Travis Long

    I was beyond grateful to have my short film selected for the 2024 festival. The beautiful location and the massive amount of vendors and local artists truly set POF apart from other fests. Great experience!

    September 2024
  • Matthew Barber

    It was an honor to have Sempre Avanti selected at Port of Fear Film Festival! Thank you so much for supporting our film! I wish my brother and I could have attended! Looked like a lot of fun!

    September 2024
  • Derek Sitter

    This is one of the finest genre film fests in the U.S. POFFF staff, volunteers, and directors pull off an amazing festival in a fantastic location. They communicate, promote, and deliver as promised. Great crowds to boot. Submit to this fest. They RAWK!

    September 2024