Southern Horror Film Festival

Southern Horror Film Festival, is a horror film festival in Atlanta, Georgia. This annual event showcases horror films from around the world. Atlanta has a great film scene in general, but also a dedicated horror film community that is eager to see new films. All flavors of horror are accepted including creatures, suspense, vampires, zombies, psycho killers, dark comedy, animation and other horrific situations that will make our audience jump. We've recruited 12 judges in the Atlanta area that are ready to watch every minute of every film submitted. We are also looking for horror film screenplays and hope to recognize exceptional work that can one day be produced into a short or feature film.

Script writers, in addition to submitting your script to the festival we also provide optional script coverage. Script coverage with our festival includes the price of your submission fee. Your work will be analyzed by a Cinema Life filmmaker who’s produced award winning films, has extensive writing experience, and also understands the indie way of filmmaking.

IF YOU OR ANYONE IN YOUR PARTY IS DISRUPTIVE AT THE FESTIVAL IT WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE REMOVAL OF YOUR GROUP AND DISQUALIFICATION OF YOUR FILM OR SCREENPLAY AND REFUNDS WILL NOT BE ISSUED.

12 different judges will decide different awards that will be presented for outstanding filmmaking, creativity and screenwriting.

Best Cinematography
Best Director
Best Experimental Film
Best Horror Comedy
Best Feature Length Horror Screenplay
Best Film Editing
Best Georgia Horror Film
Best International Horror Film
Best Micro Short Film
Best Short Horror Film
Best Short Horror Screenplay

All films and screenplays are eligible, regardless if they have distribution or not. Films that are accepted to this festival are expected to provide a download link to their film within 1 week of notification. All films must have an resolution of 1920x1080 HD or better. Standard Definition and 720p will not be accepted. All films will be compiled and screened on Blu-Ray DVD. 23.976, 24, 25 & 30 frame rates are all acceptable, but 23.976 is preferred. DCP and 5.1 Surround Sound are not accepted, only stereo files please. Quicktime (.mov) and (.mp4) file formats are preferred.

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Jimmie Rogers

Caroline King at first made being part of Horror Films of Hotlanta seem amazing. Constant contact and talks of pushing films/screenplays to producers and all that fun stuff. Move forward to the actual event and it’s a mess. Bad audio ...no let’s be real ....horrible audio....complete lack of schedule so people in crowd were super confused about when their films will be played. Award certificates were apparently printed wrong so nothing was given out that night. It’s been three month since the event where my wife and i won best screenplay and I’ve still not been sent anything. After a few times contacting Caroline and being told it would be sent I’ve still received nothing and now she’s not answering my emails. I’ve been involved in many film fest for the last ten years and have never had to deal with this kind of unprofessionalism.

February 2020

Helpful

Response from festival:

Hi Jimmie! Thank you so much for your feedback! I am so sorry that you never received my email with my new email address! Please contact me at caroline@cinemalife.org so I can make sure I get you your award certificate ASAP!

Thank you for your feedback about our event, our venue was incredibly generous to donate the space to us, but unfortunately the audio, like you mentioned, was not us to our standards. We have upgraded our system and look forward to providing a much better experience this year :) When you email me please let me know if you will be in ATL for our 2020 festival and I will be happy to offer you and your wife complimentary tickets to the event.
Al Mertens

Caroline and Co. are The Best!
Thrilled my feature screenplay, "Angel City," was a part of this.

November 2019

Helpful
Richard Ramirez

Awesome people, awesome festival; was truly sad I couldn't make it this year.

November 2019

Helpful
Mia'kate Russell

Love this festival so much !!

November 2019

Helpful
Dillon Fuhrman

While I was sad that I couldn’t attend, the communication was the best, and I am so proud to submit my script to this wonderful festival, and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. 😇❤️✍️📖💀

November 2019

Helpful

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Dates & Deadlines

December 17, 2019
Opening Date
January 31, 2020
First Deadline
March 31, 2020
Discount Deadline
May 31, 2020
Earlybird Deadline
June 30, 2020
Regular Deadline
July 31, 2020
Late Deadline
August 31, 2020
Final Deadline
September 1, 2020
Notification Date
October 31, 2020
Event Date

Categories & Fees

Horror Film (6-30 minutes)
This category is reserved for creative and scary Horror Films that have adrenaline pumping moments. Do you have a film that was intentionally created to scare people? Does your film depict any horrifying action sequences, blood, gore, monsters, psychotic people, slashing, stalking, zombies, vampires, disease outbreaks, demonic possession, haunted buildings, or any other elements that would classify your film as a true horror film? Great sound design, musical score, cinematography, visual effects or special effects are appreciated by the judges. The duration of videos submitted to the Horror Film category is between six minutes and thirty minutes in length including all credits. (6:00 - 30:00)
- First Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Discount Deadline
- Standard: $31
- Gold Members: $27.90
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $32
- Gold Members: $28.80
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $33
- Gold Members: $29.70
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $34
- Gold Members: $30.60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
Submit Now
Horror Micro Short Film (1-6 minutes)
This category is reserved for creative and scary Horror Films that have adrenaline pumping moments. Do you have a film that was intentionally created to scare people? Does your film depict any horrifying action sequences, blood, gore, monsters, psychotic people, slashing, stalking, zombies, vampires, disease outbreaks, demonic possession, haunted buildings, or any other elements that would classify your film as a true horror film? Great sound design, musical score, cinematography, visual effects or special effects are appreciated by the judges. The time limit for the Horror Micro Short Film category is five minutes and fifty nine seconds (05:59) including all credits.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Gold Members: $18
- Discount Deadline
- Standard: $21
- Gold Members: $18.90
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $22
- Gold Members: $19.80
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $23
- Gold Members: $20.70
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $24
- Gold Members: $21.60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
Submit Now
Horror Film Trailer (1-3 minutes)
This category is specifically designed for Horror Film Trailers. You may be marketing a film that has already been produced, distributed, or perhaps you've made a trailer for a film that you're raising money for. The bottom line is, whether your film exists or not, the trailer can be submitted here and shown throughout our festival program if it's good. Music, sound effects, cinematography and fast paced editing are what the judges are looking for. All submissions to the Horror Film Trailer category must be 3 minutes or less.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $10
- Gold Members: $9
- Discount Deadline
- Standard: $11
- Gold Members: $9.90
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $12
- Gold Members: $10.80
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $13
- Gold Members: $11.70
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $14
- Gold Members: $12.60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $15
- Gold Members: $13.50
Submit Now
Experimental Horror Micro Short Film (1-6 minutes)
This category is reserved for experimental horror films that may not tell a story in a traditional way or in a non-linear fashion. Images, dream sequences, terrifying moments, graphics or sound effects that may appear to be random, chaotic, confusing, mysterious, futuristic, retro, strange, weird, or difficult to classify qualify are what the judges are looking for. Experimental horror films must have some element that has something truly unique about it. The time limit for the Experimental Horror Micro Short Film category is five minutes and fifty nine seconds (05:59) including all credits.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Gold Members: $18
- Discount Deadline
- Standard: $21
- Gold Members: $18.90
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $22
- Gold Members: $19.80
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $23
- Gold Members: $20.70
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $24
- Gold Members: $21.60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
Submit Now
Experimental Horror Film (6-30 minutes)
This category is reserved for experimental horror films that may not tell a story in a traditional way or in a non-linear fashion. Images, dream sequences, terrifying moments, graphics or sound effects that may appear to be random, chaotic, confusing, mysterious, futuristic, retro, strange, weird, or difficult to classify qualify are what the judges are looking for. Experimental horror films must have some element that has something truly unique about it. The duration of videos submitted to the Experimental Horror Film category is between six minutes and thirty minutes in length including all credits. (6:00 - 30:00)
- First Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Discount Deadline
- Standard: $31
- Gold Members: $27.90
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $32
- Gold Members: $28.80
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $33
- Gold Members: $29.70
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $34
- Gold Members: $30.60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
Submit Now
Horror Comedy Micro Short Film (1-6 minutes)
This category is reserved for comedy films in the horror film genre, that are full of jokes? Is it a Slasher parody, is it a reality show about vegetarian Vampires or Redneck Zombies? Is your film full of 80's era bad one-liners, full of nudity for no reason? You know if your film is a Horror Comedy Film, the question is, are you going to send it to us? The time limit for the Horror Comedy Micro Short Film category is five minutes and fifty nine seconds (05:59) including all credits.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Gold Members: $18
- Discount Deadline
- Standard: $21
- Gold Members: $18.90
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $22
- Gold Members: $19.80
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $23
- Gold Members: $20.70
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $24
- Gold Members: $21.60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
Submit Now
Horror Comedy Film (6-30 minutes)
This category is reserved for comedy films in the horror film genre, that are full of jokes? Is it a Slasher parody, is it a reality show about vegetarian Vampires or Redneck Zombies? Is your film full of 80's era bad one-liners, full of nudity for no reason? You know if your film is a Horror Comedy Film, the question is, are you going to send it to us? The duration of videos submitted to the Horror Comedy Film category is between six minutes and thirty minutes in length including all credits. (6:00 - 30:00)
- First Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Discount Deadline
- Standard: $31
- Gold Members: $27.90
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $32
- Gold Members: $28.80
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $33
- Gold Members: $29.70
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $34
- Gold Members: $30.60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
Submit Now
Screenplay: Horror Short Story (1-40 pages)
This category is reserved for creative and scary Horror Screenplays that have adrenaline pumping moments. Do you have a story that was intentionally created to scare people? Does your screenplay depict any horrifying action sequences, blood, gore, monsters, psychotic people, slashing, stalking, zombies, vampires, disease outbreaks, demonic possession, haunted buildings, or any other elements that would classify your screenplay as a true horror film experience? The maximum number of pages allowed for the Screenplay: Horror Short Story category is 40 pages in .pdf format.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Gold Members: $18
- Discount Deadline
- Standard: $21
- Gold Members: $18.90
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $22
- Gold Members: $19.80
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $23
- Gold Members: $20.70
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $24
- Gold Members: $21.60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
Submit Now
Screenplay: Horror Feature Length Story (40-150 pages)
This category is reserved for creative and scary Horror Screenplays that have adrenaline pumping moments. Do you have a story that was intentionally created to scare people? Does your screenplay depict any horrifying action sequences, blood, gore, monsters, psychotic people, slashing, stalking, zombies, vampires, disease outbreaks, demonic possession, haunted buildings, or any other elements that would classify your screenplay as a true horror film experience? The page range allowed for the Screenplay: Horror Feature Length Story category is between 40-150 pages in .pdf format.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Discount Deadline
- Standard: $31
- Gold Members: $27.90
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $32
- Gold Members: $28.80
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $33
- Gold Members: $29.70
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $34
- Gold Members: $30.60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
Submit Now
Screenplay: Horror Comedy Short Story (1-40 pages)
This category is reserved for comedy screenplays in the horror film genre, that are full of jokes? Is it a Slasher parody, is it a reality show about vegetarian Vampires or Redneck Zombies? Is your film full of 80's era bad one-liners, evil blood oranges or face eating waffles? You know if your screenplay is a Horror Comedy screenplay, the question is, are you going to send it to us? The maximum number of pages allowed for the Screenplay: Horror Comedy Short Story category is 40 pages in .pdf format.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Gold Members: $18
- Discount Deadline
- Standard: $21
- Gold Members: $18.90
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $22
- Gold Members: $19.80
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $23
- Gold Members: $20.70
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $24
- Gold Members: $21.60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
Submit Now
Screenplay: Horror Comedy Feature Length Story (40-150 pages)
This category is reserved for comedy screenplays in the horror film genre, that are full of jokes? Is it a Slasher parody, is it a reality show about vegetarian Vampires or Redneck Zombies? Is your film full of 80's era bad one-liners, evil blood oranges or face eating waffles? You know if your screenplay is a Horror Comedy screenplay, the question is, are you going to send it to us? The page range allowed for the Screenplay: Horror Comedy Feature Length Story category is between 40-150 pages in .pdf format.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Discount Deadline
- Standard: $31
- Gold Members: $27.90
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $32
- Gold Members: $28.80
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $33
- Gold Members: $29.70
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $34
- Gold Members: $30.60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
Submit Now
Judge's Notes
Do you ever wish you had detailed feedback from the festivals that you submit to? This service has been created as an add-on for filmmakers that would like an unbiased reaction to their short comedy film. Our team of film festival judges evaluate films on a daily basis. Get feedback about the story, characters and overall impression of your comedy film whether you are accepted to this event or not. We evaluate technical aspects of your film like sound and picture quality. More importantly, we offer genuine feedback about the story, characters and overall reaction that we find in your films. We will give you a summary of our feedback and notes without bias. This will be delivered on the notification date for this festival. The cost for this service, is for the evaluation of your film only. If you'd like to be considered for official selection and/or awards by our judges, you must also submit your film, web series or music video to one of the designated submission categories.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Discount Deadline
- Standard: $31
- Gold Members: $27.90
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $32
- Gold Members: $28.80
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $33
- Gold Members: $29.70
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $34
- Gold Members: $30.60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
Submit Now
SCRIPT COVERAGE (Scripts 50 pages or more)
Full analysis of your script from one of our award winning filmmakers. Your coverage also includes your script submission into this festival. Just send a cover letter with what script category you would like your script to be considered for. 5 business day turn around.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $100
- Gold Members: $90
- Discount Deadline
- Standard: $100
- Gold Members: $90
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $100
- Gold Members: $90
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $100
- Gold Members: $90
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $100
- Gold Members: $90
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $100
- Gold Members: $90
Submit Now
SCRIPT COVERAGE (Scripts under 50 pages)
- First Deadline
- Standard: $70
- Gold Members: $60
- Discount Deadline
- Standard: $70
- Gold Members: $60
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $70
- Gold Members: $60
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $70
- Gold Members: $60
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $70
- Gold Members: $60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $70
- Gold Members: $60
Submit Now

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Jimmie Rogers

Response from festival:

Al Mertens

Richard Ramirez

Mia'kate Russell

Dillon Fuhrman