Scare My Shorts Off

How will films be submitted?
All films must be submitted through FilmFreeway.
No other form of submission will be accepted.
Judges may disqualify any entry for any valid reason. Common disqualifications could result from: Entry into wrong category, Entry longer than 5-minutes, Multiple submissions of the same project, submitting a Rough Cut, or No Proof of Alabama ID/Driver’s License.

What category should I enter?
All submitted films must be less than 5:00 minutes in length. Films will then be competing in the categories of:
Alabama High School Students
Alabama College Students
Alabama Professionals

Alabama High Students Category-High School students are any filmmaker between the ages of 14-years-old and 19-years-old who completed their project while not currently enrolled in an institution of higher education. If a filmmaker is currently home schooled, they can compete here. If a student completed a project while attending high school, but is currently attending college, they can submit the project here. Alabama High School Students submit their project to the Alabama High School category and it is FREE to enter.

Any state of Alabama student who completed a project while enrolled in an institution of higher education will compete in the Alabama College Student category and it is FREE to enter.

State of Alabama Professionals are those that are not currently enrolled in an institution of higher education and have an Alabama ID or Alabama Driver’s License. Alabama Professionals is FREE to enter.

Rated G, PG, and PG-13 Films have the greatest probability to screen.
Rated R Films with foul language, excessive violence, drug usage, and sexual situations have a lower probability to screen.
Filmmakers are responsible for all copyright clearances and releases for Actors and Music.
Scare My Shorts Off Short Horror Film Festival will not be held liable for copyright infringements. It is assumed that all copyright and legal releases have been gathered before entering Scare My Shorts Off Short Horror Film Festival.
The cost of entering is FREE for Alabama residents.
The festival is FREE to attend.
We currently are only accepting 5:00 minute projects produced by Alabamians.

Does it matter when I made my project?
Films accepted must be from the year 2016, 2017, 2018, or 2019.

Does it matter when I submit my project?
Projects must be submitted by October 30. October 31 will be the notification date. The Event Date will be Friday, November 1st starting at 5:00 pm Central Standard Time.
The High School screenings will take place earlier in the day on Friday, November 1st.

Can I have a waiver?
No, Scare My Shorts Off Short Horror Film Festival does offer Fee Waivers.

Can I get a screening fee?
No, Scare My Shorts Off Short Horror Film Festival does not pay screening fees.

What do I need to submit?
Upload your film to FilmFreeway as a high definition file.
If your film is accepted, we will request a digital downloadable copy of the film, which FilmFreeway provides. You would copy and paste the high definition file link to us, when requested.
Marketing materials are requested at the time of submitting your film.
Not having marketing materials does not disqualify the project from our Festival, but it is highly encouraged to submit a poster, post card, trailer, or Press Kit.
If a digital downloadable copy of the film is not available when requested, your film can be excluded from the festival.
If accepted into our Festival, the digital downloadable copy of the film must be a high definition resolution.

Can I submit a rough draft?
Judges only look at the film one time so submit to the Festival when the project is completed.

Who are your screeners?
Films will be judged by the University of Montevallo faculty members.

How many films can I submit?
There is not a limit, but the entries must have some element of either: surprise, fright, horror, terror, thriller, or being scary.

How will I know if I am accepted?
We will notify filmmakers through FilmFreeway. We will also post accepted film names onto our Mass Communication program Website at https://www.montevallo.edu/academics/colleges/college-of-fine-arts/departments/department-of-communication/mass-communication/film-festival/ and also to our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/shorthorrorfilmfestival/
While we will attempt to alert filmmakers by October 30, we guarantee to alert all filmmakers by October 31 if they are accepted.

What genres do you accept?
We only screen 5:00 minute or less Horror, Thriller, Surprise, Fright, Terror, or Scary short films.

Can I submit the same project I submitted last year?
No. The judges are looking for new projects that they have not already voted upon.

Do you take away my rights as a filmmaker?
No. Filmmakers own all rights to submitted films. However, by submitting you agree to allow the University of Montevallo to use your film in its entirety both for educational and promotional purposes.

In consideration for the selection opportunity into the Scare My Shorts Off Short Horror Film Festival, I release and discharge the Scare My Shorts Off Short Horror Film Festival from any and all claims, demands, or causes of actions related to misappropriation or infringement of copyright or violation of any other right arising from or relating to my submission.
The University of Montevallo Department of Communication will keep a digital library of all the projects that have screened at the Scare My Shorts Off Short Horror Film Festival. This library is a private library and is used to document the Festival. Also, screened entries could be used in the Department of Communication for Educational and Promotional purposes.

Entry Deadlines and Fees
September 30th-Early Bird Deadline- FREE to enter and must be from the state of Alabama. Wednesday, October 30th Final Deadline-FREE to enter and must be from the state of Alabama.
Thursday, October 31Notification Date
November 1st- Event Date