TERROR ON THE PLAINS 12 will be held in September 25 and 26, 2026 at the Boulevard Drive In in Kansas City, KS.

Terror on the Plains Horror Film Festival combines the best of short, independent horror films with classic Hollywood thrillers. Founded in 2012, Terror Fest KC is a short horror film competition featuring films (10 mins and under) from independent filmmakers all over the world.

Terror on the Plains is generously hosted by the Boulevard Drive-In in Kansas City, KS. and we are once again returning to the Boulevard for a night of thrill, chills, good food, fun, maybe a few beers -- all with some of the most kick ass horror fans on this planet.

Please make sure your bio is filled out completely so we know where you are from. We have categories for local filmmaker (Kansas and Missouri) as well as international films. Filmmakers from all over the world are encouraged to submit.

Awards & Prizes

Make sure you have entered all the information we need to determine what category you may be eligible.

BEST TERROR FILM

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM

BEST LOCAL (KS/MO) FILMMAKER (David Berry Award)

BEST STUDENT FILMMAKER(S) (Dr. Tom Poe Award)

AUDIENCE FAVOURITE

BEST SCREAMPLAY *DO NOT SUBMIT SCREENPLAY

Rules & Terms

Films MUST be under 10 minutes in length (including titles and post-credits).

ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTIONS.

Submission fee in 2026: $20 for ALL FILMMAKERS. No waivers.

Deadline for submission: August 21, 2026 11:59 p.m. CST.

Films must have been filmed within a two-year period of current festival.

Your film must fit within one of the sub-genre of horror, but we here at TERROR ON THE PLAINS know that what we each perceive as "horror" is subjective (thriller, psychological, satire, spoof, shock, supernatural, slasher, gore, etc.)...questions? Just ask.

Please use original music or music you have permission to use. Seriously.

If you are a filmmaker living in KANSAS or MISSOURI, you are eligible for the BEST LOCAL FILMMAKER AWARD. Please be sure to note your age and location in your submission on FilmFreeway in order to be eligible for one of the local awards. See below for qualifications.

Live action, stop-motion, computer and traditionally animated movies are eligible for submissions.

All films that are nominated for one of the four pre-determined nominee categories (Best Horror Film, Best International Film, Best Local Filmmaker) will screen on night one of the TERROR ON THE PLAINS INTERNATIONAL HORROR FILM FESTIVAL; but not all films that screen that night will be up for nominations and awards. i.e. your film could not receive a nomination and still screen at our festival or be invited to screen and not be up for a nominated award.

Should you receive an invite, you will be notified if you are an Award Nominee or a Screen Gem (non-nominee).

The short film competition is night one of TERROR ON THE PLAINS. Not all films submitted will screen. We generally screen roughly 2.5 hours of short films. That number is flexible each year depending on our submissions.

The TERROR ON THE PLAINS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL committee will determine nominees for categories. You do not need to submit your film for a category.

Terror on the Plains Awards:

Best Terror Film
Best International Horror Film
Best Local (KS/MO) Filmmaker "The David Berry Award"
Best Young Filmmaker(s) *Elementary, Middle School, High School only*
Best Screamplay
Audience Favourite
14 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Neil Willoughby

    Great communication and an awesome venue! We will be submitting again for next year's program!

    October 2024
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much Neil. Looking forward to more of your films!!

  • Jim Zounis

    It was such a great honor to be apart of the "Terror On the Plains Horror Film Festival" for 2024, thank you all so much.

    October 2024
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks, Jim...hope you can make it out to see us sometime!!

  • Rafael De Leon Jr.

    I wasn't able to attend Terror on the Plains, but the communication from festival director Timothy English was great and the festival looked like a fun time! I definitely recommend that horror filmmakers submit their films and I hope to attend in the future!

    October 2023
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Rafael! I'm glad you enjoyed your experience. You're very talented. Hope to see more of your films in the future -- and here's hoping you make it to the festival soon!!

  • Paul South

    This is my favorite film festival in town. The movies play at a drive-in theater and the night is capped off with a screening of a classic horror movie. It’s just an awesome environment to be a part of.

    October 2023
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks, Paul! You've been submitting films since our very early days. Thanks for your support and keep up the amazing work!!

  • Allie Nelson

    Great venue, well organized festival. Though I could not attend, communication was great. Would love to attend in the future!

    October 2023
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Allie!! Would love to have you at the festival. Keep sending your films in!