GENRE ELIGIBILITY:
Spooky Empire seeks independent short and feature-length films from around the world in any of the following genre groups:
- Horror, Supernatural
- Horror Comedy
- Sci-Fi
- Animation
- Thriller, Suspense
- Cult, Bizarre, Genre-defying, Experimental
- Documentaries with a genre-related or cult/bizarre subject matter
MICRO-SHORT FILM ELIGIBILITY:
- Completed after January 1st, 2023
- Works-in-progress and rough cuts are not accepted
- Run time of less than 2 minutes
- Not previously submitted to the festival
Films in a language other than English must be subtitled in English
SHORT FILM ELIGIBILITY:
- Completed after January 1st, 2023
- Works-in-progress and rough cuts are not accepted
- Run time of less than 30 minutes
- Not previously submitted to the festival
Films in a language other than English must be subtitled in English
FEATURE FILM ELIGIBILITY:
- Completed after January 1st, 2023
- Works-in-progress and rough cuts are not accepted
- Run time of 30 minutes or longer
- Not previously submitted to the festival
Films in a language other than English must be subtitled in English
*NOTE: Feature films are not in competition with short films at Spooky Empire Film Festival. Rather, a few select features will be admitted as special screenings geared toward promotion of the films. The Festival Committee will program the weekend around selected features and work closely with the filmmakers to market and support attendance of their films. So much hard work and effort is put into producing a feature, and we want to assist in making these screenings as successful as possible!
RIFFtacular Horror Theatre:
Inspired by Mystery Science Theater 3000 and RiffTrax, this special category is all about celebrating the fun rough edges of filmmaking – whether it’s an old student project, childhood creation, one of your first excursions into the world of film, or even a more recent project you enjoy poking fun at. During a special event night, professional local comedians will humorously riff on selected films from this category for all to enjoy! Share those gems you look back on with fondness. Just remember, professional comics will lovingly add their own hilarious touch during the festival. It’s all good fun, so only submit if you’ve got a sense of humor and can handle a good laugh at your work. Let’s make this special event a laughter-filled hit!
RIFFTACULAR HORROR THEATRE ELIGIBILITY:
- Films from any completion year are accepted
- Works-in-progress and rough cuts are not accepted
- Run time of less than 90 minutes (shorts and features welcome)
Films in a language other than English must be subtitled in English
*NOTE: Films in this category are not in competition with short or feature films at Spooky Empire Horror Film Festival. In the event that Spooky Empire does not feel this year’s submitted films fit the category of programming, no films will be selected and the RIFFtacular Horror Theatre show will not proceed this festival season.
2026 SUBMISSION DEADLINES & MECHANISM:
Spooky Empire ONLY accepts online film screeners. Also, any applicable submission fees must also be paid online at the time of your entry.
Our Standard Festival Participation Agreement (Terms and Conditions), which all submitted films are also expected to uphold, is as follows:
GENERAL AGREEMENT OF PARTICIPATION IN SPOOKY EMPIRE INTERNATIONAL HORROR FILM FESTIVAL:
I have read and accept the terms and regulations of Spooky Empire Film Festival. I will provide the festival with any additional information required pursuant to these rules and regulations. I authorize Spooky Empire Film Festival to exhibit my film, and if selected, I confirm that an exhibition copy will be available in a required format for screening during the 2026 festival (October 30th-November 1st, 2026). I certify that I hold all necessary rights for the submission of this film/video to the Spooky Empire Film Festival and that all rights and clearances have been made. This film is not subject to any litigation nor is threatened by any litigation. I hold Spooky Empire Film Festival harmless from damage to, or loss of any or all materials en route to, from or otherwise at the festival. I assume all legal responsibilities therein. In the event that my film is selected to play as a part of the Best of Fest block during the 2026 festival, I consent to Spooky Empire Film Festival screening it again as a part of the Best of Fest block during one or more 2027 Spooky Empire conventions for the purposes of promoting my film and the film festival. By agreeing to these terms, I transfer to Spooky Empire Film Festival the right to use excerpts, stills, and trailers of the submitted film, for the purposes of publicity and marketing of the film at the 2026 festival, and for other non-commercial uses related to the promotion of the 2026 festival. I hereby agree to indemnify Spooky Empire Film Festival, in the event that such rights have not been properly transferred.
PLEASE E-MAIL US QUESTIONS, ANYTIME: spookyempirefilmfest@gmail.com
WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR SUBMISSION!
