Scumdance is now a multi-day film festival celebrating the best of underground film. We do our best to curate those films made by the true artist… those who speak with a voice and vision outside the realm of standard faire. We specialize in horror, avant-garde, music based, and experimental films.

Awards & Prizes

Best Short (as voted by festival judges) and Audience Favorite Short.
Best Feature (as voted by festival judges) and Audience Favorite Feature.

Best Score/Soundtrack
Best Acting (non-gender specific)
Best Animation/stop-motion
Best Directing
Best Cinematography

2020 Winners:
Judges Favorite Feature: Midnight Run
Judges Favorite Short: Lost Treasure of the Valley
Audience Favorite Feature: Re-Elected
Audience Favorite Short: Lost Treasure of the Valley

Best Score/Soundtrack - Jonathan Rocha - Midnight Run
Best Acting (non-gender specific) - Jackie Kelly – Tennessee Gothic
Best Animation/stop-motion - Cara Hagan - Monster News Feed
Best Directing - Richard Hernande - z Midnight Run
Best Cinematography - Jack Hildebrand Re-Elected

Rules & Terms

Please send us your most entertaining live action, stop motion, and animated shorts and features, but any submissions that are deemed to be overtly racist, sexist, homophobic, featuring animal or child abuse, or otherwise just plain outside the bounds of bad taste will be flatly rejected.
Shorts - 30 min or less
Features - 30 min or more
23 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Scott Bekisz

    Working with Travis and the team at Scumdance was great. Unfortunately I could not make the festival in person this year but there will be a virtual festival so that is great. Communication was great from the festival and they really care about the filmmaker so that is absolutely great to see. Would definitely recommend Scumdance to other filmmakers out there.

    September 2021
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  • Marco Mancini

    Grah Grah Grah! Grah!

    (He said: was an incredible experience. Telematics, but cool. Thanks for the attention you pay for the submitters. I’ve felt good vibes in all parts of this festival, and then…Infinite things; thanks, with all of my heart.)

    You have switched on again something I’ve lost a little bit. Something like hope!
    It was an honor, thanks again!

    September 2021
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  • Reuben Guberek

    Scumdance was an absolute pleasure to attend. Travis and George (programmers/judges) were welcoming and friendly. The film lineup was full of funny, artistic, honest films that were a riot to watch. One of the most down to earth festival's I've ever attended. I would definitely go again.

    September 2021
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  • Joe Reilly

    We didn't get to go in person sadly as half a dozen other nearby festivals that weekend at the same time, but from everything we've heard it was an absolutely fantastic screening and a ton of fun! We can't wait to take part in it with future projects!

    September 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Joe, thank you so much for submitting to Scumdance. Your film was a crowd pleaser. Seriously it had folks cheering and applauding. We can't wait to see what you do next.

  • Emmet O'Brien

    A wonderful festival to be part of. I very much love the ethos and overall approach and hope to have more films included in the future!

    September 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for the kind words.