SEND US (WEIRD) HORROR FILMS.

Selected films will screen in Secrets of the Dead at Cinema Film Noir in Brooklyn (NYC), a converted funeral parlor, on or near Halloween in 2023 There may also be additional screenings.

Secrets of the Dead has included live performances - music, theater, and poetry - in addition to screening films from all over the world. Secrets of the Dead is an opportunity for filmmakers to show an original short (1-20 minutes) about one of the more beguiling aspects of the human condition in front of an audience in New York City, where the Secrets series of film festivals has found a niche among informed cinephiles for over a decade.
Awards & Prizes

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The greatest mystery of our existence is the nature of death. It thus looms as both a certainty and a profound unknown, framing our every deed. If, somehow, we can fully understand what death actually is, we may better understand life in light of whatever meaning it may have. Unfortunately, the scientific community, has not (yet?) developed a technique for effectively peering behind this mortal coil. Fortunately for us seekers-of-the-Truth, there is CINEMA, which sometimes dares investigate such hazardous and unchartered realms.

Submit of your own volition.

"It’s a fun night out and a chance to see some truly underground cinema that normally goes unnoticed. Wengrofsky’s personality only adds to the enjoyment as he enthusiastically introduces each film from the center of the audience." - Chuck Foster, Film Threat, https://filmthreat.com/features/secrets-of-the-deep-film-festival-as-traveling-sideshow/

"Experience the Life of Dreams." Graham Fuller, The Culture Trip: https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/new-york/new-york-city/articles/experience-dream-life-films-new-yorks-gene-frankel-theatre/

The Secrets Film Festival is an annual event in NYC and California featuring short films centered around a common theme. Over the past nine years, the Secrets film series have explored insects, love, dreams, death, outer space, inner space, the horrors of politics, and the intoxicated life. The festival has screened in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Baltimore, Washington (DC), Los Angeles, Lexington (KY), and at the Berkeley Video and Film Festival in 2018 and 2019. This program is likely to be shown in multiple locations.

Secrets Film Festivals do not offer awards or prizes.

Secrets of the Heart will premiere at Film Noir Cinema in Brooklyn. Before covid and the lockdowns, we would take the film programs to other locations as well, depending upon the robustness of the underground cinema supply chain.

Secrets of the Dead Film Festival (NYC) seeks directors who choose death. This is an OPEN CALL for films concerning DEATH in ANY genre: narrative (vampire and zombie films are welcome), documentary, music video, or animation. Films can be old or new, so send us what you have without regard to date of completion. We watch each film and judge them solely on the basis of their merit - not on the identity of the director or the cast. More than one film can be submitted, though fees for each film will be calculated.

Submission to the festival requires agreement to the following terms:

1. Film submitter has full legal rights over the presentation of the film.
2. Once submitted, the film can not be withdrawn from consideration.
3. Film can be of any age -
4. Film does NOT need to be a new release.
5. Film can be of any geographic origin.
6. Film submitter agrees to having the film screened at Secrets of the Dead from this point on.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Justin Morales

    Graphic Violence had its New York premiere here. It was a great time. Jeff is a fantastic host and the theater was awesome!

    November 2022
  • Cally Trench

    Very honoured that my film was included in the Festival. I only wish I could have been there.

    November 2022
  • Tom Griffin

    Great experience at a real mini movie theater! Jeffrey's curation of the event and verbal introductory speeches prior to the screening of each individual film was welcome and created a warm, fun and personable atmosphere. Live music of the 'piano-accordion-meets-electronics' variety was also laid on to add to the creepy atmos. Q&A afterwards with filmmakers too! Highly recommended.

    November 2022
  • Sunny Mabrey

    This festival was great! We were stoked to be a part and would love to return one day.

    August 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Sunny! Was a pleasure to share your film !

  • I was honored to have one of my films be a part of this festival! Though I wasn't able to attend, it seems like everyone had a great time- I would have loved to be a part of it! Communication with the festival director was excellent, and I am happy to have had the networking opportunity. Looking forward to next year!

    November 2021
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    Response from festival:

    THANKS !