This Fall, SLEEPY HOLLOW INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (SHIFF) returns to historic Sleepy Hollow, NY, and its 2019 debut year venue, the legendary Tarrytown Music Hall! Our developing line-up of exciting screenings and live events for 2024 already includes the return of our popular Disney family event, Disney's HOLLOW-WEEN TREAT, celebrating the 75th ANNIVERSARY of THE ADVENTURES OF ICHABOD AND MR. TOAD and much more!

In 2021, SHIFF created a special, award-winning pop-up HORSELESS CARRIAGE DRIVE-IN at Kingsland Point Park, in Sleepy Hollow nestled on the bank of the Hudson River. Three nights of big-screen fun under the stars were complemented by SHIFF’s online festival, via Filmocracy, and special honors included a Horseman lifetime achievement award for the late esteemed actor, Donald Moffat (THE THING, CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER), a Sleepy Hollow, NY resident.

“2019 has been a banner year, from a ‘Legend of Sleepy Hollow’ stage musical to the inaugural SLEEPY HOLLOW INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL.” —THE NEW YORK TIMES"

"A line up worthy of the Sleepy Hollow name!" -- YAHOO ENTERTAINMENT

2022 Westchester County Wraps Award for Innovative Program - SLEEPY HOLLOW INT'L FILM FESTIVAL

The Sleepy Hollow International Film Festival (SHIFF) continues its celebration of outstanding genre cinema in the very cradle of the American Supernatural. The fest takes place in Sleepy Hollow, NY on October 10-13, 2024, and is now accepting film and script submissions! Be a part of this wondrous exploration of creative cinema, right in the heart of the historic Hudson Valley region, during its celebrated Halloween season!

SHIFF debuted in October 2019 and was an official partner in the Bicentennial celebration of Washington Irving’s immortal story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” SHIFF '19 unveiled four days of memorable programming at the historic Tarrytown Music Hall and Warner Library, thrilling attendees with feature film premieres, live stage events, special guest panels and film and screenplay competitions. Entertainment giants Disney and Universal Pictures participated in the launch, presenting special events and screenings.

“Certain it is, the place still continues under the sway of some witching power that holds a spell over the minds of the good people, causing them to walk in continual reverie." —WASHINGTON IRVING, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”

And the reverie continues: This special place, this remarkable hollow of the indescribable, bewitched not only Irving, but also artists of every creative pursuit for the next two centuries—including masters of the cinematic arts. Sleepy Hollow International Film Festival celebrates this legacy of artistic inspiration and achievement.

The festival's 2024 advisory board, selection committees and jury includes film and literary professionals with industry experience who will program and award new films of quality, in all genres that touch upon, relate to or simply explore the otherworldly or unknown. SHIFF 2019's offerings included U.S. and regional premieres of THE WRETCHED, PHANTOM OF WINNIPEG and MAKING APES as well as a special advance screening of Peter Strickland’s IN FABRIC and more! Our program also included stunning live events, such as Jeffrey Combs as Edgar Allan Poe in NEVERMORE, or Dana Gould and an all-star comedy cast in a live stage reading of PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE!

SHIFF '19 honored legendary actor/songwriter/performer Paul Williams (PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE) with its first Washington Irving Legend Award and iconic producer Edward R. Pressman (THE CROW, AMERICAN PSYCHO, WALL STREET) with a Horseman Award for lifetime achievement in producing. Additionally, our "Unproduced Original Screenplay" winners received mention in renowned trade publication, Variety.

There is no more perfect place to celebrate the uncanny than in historic Sleepy Hollow. Filmmakers and fans alike are welcome to participate October 10-13, 2024, to foster a new legend, where the breathtaking whirl of unthinkable sounds and visions witnessed will inspire us all for centuries to come!

Visit www.sleepyhollowfilmfest.com for more info
And check out the amazing sights and events in Sleepy Hollow, NY at www.visitsleepyhollow.com

Awards & Prizes

FILMS:
SHIFF will announce winners on closing night of the fest in the following categories:
BEST PICTURE
BEST DIRECTOR
BEST SCREENPLAY
BEST SCORE
BEST SHORT

UNPRODUCED ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:
1st PLACE
2nd PLACE
3rd PLACE

Rules & Terms

ELIGIBILITY:
Films must have been finished after January 1, 2023

PREMIERE:
Premiere status is a factor in considering a film’s inclusion in Sleepy Hollow International Film Festival (SHIFF). Films (features and shorts) must be one of the following: A world, U.S., New York State, or a Westchester County, NY premiere.
Films (features and shorts) may not have had any kind of public or festival exhibition within the borders of Westchester County, NY, prior to SHIFF. Films (features and shorts) must have had no previous commercial exhibition or release in the US—This includes theatrical, television, streaming, VOD, internet, home video or otherwise.

CATEGORY:
Films (features and shorts) can be of any genre, but the submission must have, at the very least—a hint of the unknown, supernatural, sci-fi or the fantastic within. If the feature or short is a documentary, then the subject(s) explored must have at least a tangential connection to the same.

FORMAT:
SHORT FILMS must be at least 2 minutes long, but no longer than 20 minutes.
FEATURE FILMS must be no shorter than 75 minutes, but no longer than 180 minutes.
Non-English Language Films (features and shorts) must be subtitled in English for exhibition at SHIFF.
Film submissions may be rough cuts, or works in progress, but only if the completed film will be available to the festival no later than September 18, 2024. Films must be submitted as Digital Files.
Film submissions selected for Sleepy Hollow International Film Festival (SHIFF) will be notified no later than September 6, 2024.
SUBMISSIONS: Films may only be submitted to SHIFF through FilmFreeway.

ORIGINAL UNPRODUCED SCREENPLAY
Screenplays must be longer than 70 pages, but no longer than 135 pages. Screenplays can be of any genre, but the submission must have at the very least - a hint of the unknown, supernatural, sci-fi or the fantastic within.

Make sure your screenplay’s cover page has the following information – Title, writer(s) and writer’s contact info, including address, e-mail and phone number.

Screenplays are to be submitted through our festival listing at FilmFreeway. No hard copy paper script submissions will be accepted.

OVERALL FESTIVAL NOTICES:
Entry fees are in U.S. Dollars, for each film and are non-refundable. SHIFF reserves the right to disqualify any submission, without refund of any kind, if eligibility requirements are not met including if eligibility status changes post-submission.
All entries that are selected into SHIFF grant SHIFF the right to use any footage from the screener and all submitted publicity photos, key art and any other materials sent to us pertaining to this entry for SHIFF’s promotional purposes, without limitations.
All DCP's and Blu-rays are to be retrieved after the screening and signed for by the filmmaker. If you attend SHIFF and don’t collect your Files and/or Blu-ray, you will be responsible for the shipping costs.

SUBMITTER'S AGREEMENT:
I, the undersigned, represent and warrant that I have full legal right and authority to submit the heretofore mentioned film/video and/or screenplay project for consideration by SHIFF, and that all necessary consents, licensing and approvals have been obtained with respect thereto. I agree to hold SHIFF and its sponsors harmless in any and all matters pertaining to the consents, licenses, and approvals of heretofore film/video and/or screenplay project. I understand that my submission is in no way a guarantee of acceptance or nomination into and at SHIFF. No one from SHIFF or its sponsors has guaranteed me admission into the festival. I, the undersigned, have read the terms and conditions appearing herein, and agree, without exception, to all the terms and conditions stated.
For more info, visit www.SleepyHollowFilmFest.com
13 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Jason Alvino

    Incredible venue, impeccable picture and sound. Wonderfully curated selection of films and shorts. Festival organizers Mark, Taylor, and Dale are friendly, gracious hosts that made sure everyone felt welcome and celebrated. From the programming to the guests, venue, town and season, SHIFF is just perfection. Definitely a destination film festival you must attend. Highest recommendation!

    October 2024
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  • Richard Imburgio

    I had a wonderful time at SHIFF! My film block was presented in a beautiful, historic venue and the line-up of films were thoughtfully selected. It's abundantly clear that the SHIFF team is passionate about film and that's exactly what I look for in a festival. My only complaint is that I missed the full weekend.

    October 2024
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  • Jeffrey Howe

    Extraordinarily intresting historical venue, with friendly staff and a cool mix of reperatory and original programming. The town itself is fun (but park early!). Any communication issues were on my end, and they were gracious to a fault. I wish I could have been there for the whole thing!

    October 2024
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  • Peter Filardi

    Our film “D*** Handy” played in a block of first-rate horror shorts at the legendary Tarrytown Music Hall, built in 1885. Submit to this festival. The town is a charming, horror destination, and your film will never look or sound better than on the big screen at this historic theater. Festival directors Matt, Dale and Taylor are industry pros. This was one of our team’s favorite 2024 festival experiences by far.

    October 2024
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  • Andrew Ford

    Was thrilled to have our little film be a part of this festival, and I can't recommend it highly enough! Will absolutely apply here again (and hopefully can attend in person one day).

    November 2021
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