*OUR EARLYBIRD DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS ENDS ON MARCH 31ST, 2024!

*Each year we screen several WORLD, NORTH AMERICAN & CANADIAN Film Premieres!

*TERROR IN THE BAY FILM FESTIVAL FEATURED ON THE CBC HERE! >>> https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2274322499827 <<<

*2022 "Best of the Best" Film Festivals in Thunder Bay (1st place) The Walleye Magazine
*2021 "Best of the Best" Film Festivals in Thunder Bay (1st place) The Walleye Magazine
*2020 "Best of the Best" Film Festivals in Thunder Bay (1st place) The Walleye Magazine

"TERROR IN THE BAY FILM FESTIVAL gets a very POSITIVE REVIEW for filmmaker friendliness. Submit to this festival and you will get a square shot." - Justin Bowler (themovieguys.net)

- RANKED IN THE TOP 650 OUT OF 12,000+ "MOST POPULAR FILM FESTIVALS" IN THE FilmFreeway DATABASE. (JUNE, 2023)

*SPECIAL PAST EVENT: On April 19th, 2023 we partnered with REEL CANADA to screen a Double Feature for the 10th Annual National Canadian Film Day! We had the honour of screening Jeff Barnaby's BLOOD QUANTUM & David Cronenberg's CRIMES OF THE FUTURE.

FilmFreeway GOLD MEMBERS RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL 15% OFF! WE HAVE KEPT OUR FEES LOW FOR INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS WORLDWIDE + STUDENT FILMMAKERS RECEIVE A SPECIAL DISCOUNT!

ONE OF ONTARIO'S TOP RATED HORROR FILM FESTIVALS!
We are pleased to announce the 8th Annual "Terror In The Bay" Film Festival! From October 16th-19th, 2024 we will be showcasing a wide range of films and trailers from around the world - HORROR, THRILLER AND MYSTERY FILMS ARE WHAT WE LOVE!

Our festival is built by filmmakers for filmmakers, and we know the hard work and dedication it takes to make a film of any genre and length. Film festival submission fees can add up very quickly, so we kept our entry fees low.

This 4-day event will take place at the historic Paramount Theatre, which has recently changed it's name to Maple Tops Paramount Theatre, located in the downtown core of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.

The downtown core and entertainment industry in Thunder Bay has been growing steadily over the past several years, and MapleTops Paramount Theatre is one of the oldest buildings in the city. It has been newly renovated inside, has a full concession stand and hosts several local plays and musicals.

*We accept films of any budget, length, and production value. Our judges treat every film equally, and will be graded with our utmost honesty, and unbiased view. If your film is picked as an official selection, it will automatically be considered for individual award nominations. Good Luck!

*ALL OFFICIAL SELECTIONS, IN EVERY CATEGORY WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR NOMINATIONS AND AWARDS.

- All Official Selections receive a festival laurel and will be considered for individual award nominations and awards including the coveted MORA AWARD!

- The Four Major Award Winners (Best Feature, Best Featurette, Best Short and Best Mini Short) will receive a laurel, printable AWARD CERTIFICATE & CUSTOMIZED STATUE "MORA" Created by sculptor Victor Oriecuia.

- In addition, the Four Major Award Winners (Best Feature Film, Best Featurette, Best Short Film and Best Mini-Short Film) will receive 1 month of FREE advertising by PromoteHorror.com! This will include extended advertising for your winning film on TWITTER, INSTAGRAM AND FACEBOOK!

- Individual award winners will receive an additional laurel and a printable AWARD CERTIFICATE.

- Official Selections (filmmakers) in attendance will receive a complimentary 4-DAY pass and official Terror in the Bay Film Festival T-Shirt!

- We are IMDb qualified, which means every official nominee and winner will be posted on our IMDb festival page.

*6TH ANNUAL NOMINEES AND WINNERS - https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0006207/2022/1

*MORA AWARDS - https://vimeo.com/375235385

AWARDS IN THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES:

*BEST FEATURE FILM (MORA Award) - 60 MINS+
*BEST FEATURETTE (MORA Award) - 24-59 MINS
*BEST SHORT FILM (MORA Award) - 10-23 MINS
*BEST MINI-SHORT FILM (MORA Award) - UNDER 10 MINS
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-NEW! BEST ENSEMBLE
-NEW! BEST ATMOSPHERE
-NEW! BEST SFX MAKEUP
-BEST UNPRODUCED SCREENPLAY
-NEW! BEST UNPRODUCED SCREENPLAY (RUNNER-UP)
-BEST WEB SERIES
-BEST MUSIC VIDEO
-BEST FILM POSTER
-BEST TITLE / CREDIT SEQUENCE
-BEST DIRECTOR
-BEST ACTOR
-BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
-BEST ACTRESS
-BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
-BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
-BEST EDITING
-BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
-BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
-BEST TRAILER
-AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD
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*2023 AWARD WINNERS:

-BEST FEATURE FILM *THE PORTRAIT
​-BEST FEATURETTE *SOME VISITORS
-BEST SHORT FILM *WORMIES
-BEST MINI SHORT FILM *CHARLIE THE CANCELLED SKELETON
-BEST WEB SERIES *ALAS
-BEST MUSIC VIDEO *CROOKS - HEART OF VENGEANCE
-BEST FILM TRAILER *GHOSTS OF HIROSHIMA
-BEST DIRECTOR *BRIAN SEPANZYK (IN THE SHADOW OF GOD)
-BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY *ARNAUD GOMEZ-THEBAUD (MARYLA)
-BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY *JACOB WELDON (SEED)
-BEST UNPRODUCED SCREENPLAY *CONSUMED
-BEST UNPRODUCED SCREENPLAY RUNNER-UP *THE SHADOW PPL
-BEST ORIGINAL SCORE *NATALIA LAGUENS (BOOKWORM)
-BEST EDITING *EDOUARD ALVADO (WELCOME TO CANDY'S)
-BEST SFX MAKEUP *ALIEN PLANET
-BEST TITLE/CREDIT SEQUENCE *SASCHA MAY (A BLOODY GRAVEYARD STORY)
-BEST ACTOR *MICHAEL TEH (SMILE AS YOU KILL)
​-BEST ACTRESS *SARA CANNING (IN THE SHADOW OF GOD)
-BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR *MICHAEL JORDAN (DEMON BOX)
-BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS *TAYLER DELINE (THE CLOSER YOU GET)​​
-BEST FILM POSTER *BOOKWORM
​-BEST ATMOSPHERE *CLAYTON ORGLES (DISSOCIATION)
-BEST ENSEMBLE *ELDRITCH, USA
​-AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD *A DEER CAUGHT IN THE HEADLIGHTS & SOME VISITORS

THE RULES ARE BASIC BUT NECESSARY. PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT ALL OF THE INFORMATION BELOW BEOFRE YOU SUBMIT.

The entrant / submitter (individual or corporation) submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized and have the legal right to commit the film for screenings at Terror In The Bay Film Festival. 

It is agreed, by submitting, to allow Terror In The Bay Film Festival to screen this film without any associated screening fees. The submitter (individual or corporation) understands and accepts these requirements and regulations upon submission.

Terror In The Bay Film Festival is hereby granted to the right to utilize any excerpt from any film and/or trailer submitted and accepted for exhibition at Terror In The Bay Film Festival for promotional and/or advertising purposes.

The entrant / submitter (individual or corporation) may submit the film digitally through FilmFreeway exclusively. We do not accept hard copies. You may have multiple entries.

Submissions in a language other than English must have subtitles. Works in progress are not accepted.

All selections are final. The judging panel is mostly independent of the selection committee, making their voting entirely independent of one another. 

In addition, entrants represent and warrant to Terror In The Bay Film Festival that the film and all parts thereof are original; that the film does not contravene the rights of any person or entity and that entrants own or control the film and all parts thereof and have the sole authority to submit the film to Terror In The Bay Film Festival; the film entrants submitted to Terror In The Bay Film Festival is not subject to nor threatened by any litigation.

Entrants agree to defend and indemnify Terror In The Bay Film Festival, its directors, officers, employees, contractors, consultants, judges and agents against any and all claims, demands, actions, or lawsuits arising out of or related to the screening of the submitted film, performance of the music, or displaying of the art.

FURTHER CLARIFICATION: Entrants / Submitters (Individual or corporation) agree to all of the rules and regulations listed below prior to submitting the film.  

*The film contains no genuine acts of Violence (Animal cruelty, Rape, Murder). 

*I hold Terror In The Bay Film Festival harmless from any damage to the print(s) or media materials(s) en route or otherwise during the course of the festival’s possession of the film.

*I hold Terror In The Bay Film Festival its owners, management, juries, subsidiaries, agents, sponsors, affiliates, and etc. harmless from any and all claims of liability resulting from my entry.

*I certify that I have full rights to the use of the music in the entered work.

*I give permission for Terror In The Bay Film Festival to use stills, titles, copy, and/or information from the short for promotional purposes.

*I give permission for Terror In The Bay Film Festival to screen the film at the Festival for which it was submitted.

Entrants / Submitters (Individual or Corporation) acknowledge that no fiduciary or confidential relationship now exists between the festival and entrants, and entrants further acknowledge that no such relationship is established by these guidelines, my submission of the film, or by the festival’s acceptance, review or retention of the film.

Terror In The Bay Film Festival has the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to change the festival date or location if necessary to ensure a successful festival.

Entry fees are non-refundable. Projects can be from any of the last five years (production having been completed by December 2018). Entry Fees are in $US.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • My horror feature script, "The Shadow PPL," being awarded for best Horror, Thriller, Mystery Screenplay at the "Terror In The Bay" Film Festival, is a crowning achievement that fills me with immense pride and satisfaction. This recognition at one of Ontario’s top-rated horror film festivals not only validates the hard work and creativity poured into the script but also underscores the festival's keen eye for identifying compelling narratives in the horror, thriller, and mystery genres.
    "Terror In The Bay" Film Festival, known for its passion for horror, thriller, and mystery films, has created a remarkable platform for filmmakers and writers like myself to showcase our work. The festival's dedication to these genres is evident in the diverse range of films and trailers it presents from around the world. As a festival built by filmmakers for filmmakers, it truly understands the challenges and triumphs involved in the creative process. The decision to keep entry fees low reflects their commitment to accessibility and support for the filmmaking community, a gesture that is both commendable and deeply appreciated.
    The efficiency and ease of communication with the festival organizers were exemplary. Throughout the submission and selection process, their professionalism and attention to detail made the experience seamless and enjoyable. This level of organization and clear communication is a testament to their dedication to fostering a supportive and collaborative environment for participants. As an award winner, I found this aspect of the festival particularly encouraging, as it allowed for a smooth and engaging participation experience.
    Winning at the "Terror In The Bay" Film Festival for "The Shadow PPL" is not just an honor, but a memorable experience that highlights the festival's role in championing the art of horror, thriller, and mystery storytelling. Their efficient organization, professional conduct, and passionate commitment to the genre have made a lasting impression, one that I will cherish as I continue my journey in screenwriting. The festival's support and recognition of "The Shadow PPL" not only celebrates my work but also contributes to the thriving culture of horror cinema.

    December 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Lacye for your extremely thorough review of our film festival and the experience you had with us - very much appreciated! It is screenwriters and filmmakers like you which is one of the many reasons we enjoy organizing and hosting a film festival each year. From all of us here, thank you for submitting "The Shadow PP" and congratulations on your win! We look forward to reading more of your screenplays in the future.

  • Lisa Ovies

    Amazing experience from start to finish. Thank you so much for including us this year and we hope we can participate again one year!

    October 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks again for your kind review Lisa! It was great to screen your latest film, and we look forward to seeing your next one! Take care :)

  • The team kept me in the loop as the festival progressed. Very cordial, and very complimentary. I'm glad I was part of this year's festival.

    October 2023
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    Response from festival:

    This year we received many exceptional scripts, and yours finished on top. Congratulations on winning Best Unproduced Screenplay!

  • Grégory Bollack

    Huge Thank to all the Terror in the Bay Team for your work and Kindness.
    That was a pleasure to be part of it with our short film Welcome to Candy's.
    All the best to you and the festival for the future.

    October 2023
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    Response from festival:

    We really enjoyed "Welcome To Candy's" and our audience did too! Congratulations on the win for Best Editing - well deserved!

  • Alan Maxson

    This festival is awesome. We unfortunately could not make it to the event but the festival director was in constant communication through email and even sent us a great note about the audience reaction to our movie. I would absolutely submit to them again and hope to attend in person for the next one! Thank you TITB!

    October 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Congratulations Alan! Thank you for submitting your film to our festival, and hats off to the entire ALIEN PLANET team!