IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: As you all know, Covid-19 has had a major impact on all our lives. With that in mind, we have made the decision to change TTFF (for this year only) to an Online Festival. Believe me, this was a tough decision, and we hate losing one of the things that makes our show special – namely, screening the films at the historic and magnificent Texas Theatre – but, the safety of our patrons is paramount, and with the pandemic as strong as ever, we can't calculate when in the near future it will be safe for people to gather. So we're going online – and it'll be fun!

Now in our third year! Texas Terrors is an indie/grass roots short film festival celebrating the fun in bone-chilling horror. We’re less concerned with Hollywood-style slickness than with creativity, originality, and passion. The festival will feature a diverse array of scary stuff, and provide a fun evening of chills and thrills.

First and foremost, your film does NOT have to be made in Texas, or Texas-themed to enter. Texas is merely the location of the festival.

This is a short film festival, with a maximum length of 20 minutes. Anything longer will not be considered.

There is no restriction on when your film was made, or how many festivals it has already played. However, we do heavily favor films that are not currently available for public viewing on YouTube, Vimeo, etc.

If our festival will be a world premiere or a Texas premiere for your film, please let us know, and we will make note of this in the program.

WHAT WE WANT: horror; horror-comedy; monsters; psycho-killers; supernatural horror; horror-sci-fi; fantasy-horror; documentaries on horror-related subjects; anything vaguely connected with horror.

WHAT WE DON'T WANT: rape and/or degradation; “torture porn”; explicit sex; crime-suspense; "proof of concept" films; fan films or anything utilizing licensed characters or IP that you don’t own; music videos.

NOW AWARDING CASH PRIZES!! The TTFF AWARDS, celebrating excellence in filmmaking, will now feature cash prizes in every category. The following certificates will be awarded at the close of the festival:

BEST IN SHOW – Just what it says! That one film that we agree kicked the most butt. $200

OUTSTANDING ACTOR – Could be a lead or supporting role, a prize to the most memorable male performance of the night. $85

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS – Likewise for the ladies, any distaff turn that makes us sit up and take notice. $85

OUTSTANDING SCREENPLAY – We like writers, and love to give them awards. This one’s for the cleverest words and concepts on display. $85

OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR – The person behind the camera is pretty important too. Regardless of budget, we celebrate the helmer who put it all together in the best possible way. $85

GUTS-‘N’-GLORY AWARD – For the best/most memorable special effects; could be practical gore, a killer monster suit, or a cool CGI effect, this one celebrates that thing that wowed us. $85

**The festival reserves the right to not award any particular category if we feel there were no outstanding submissions.

(Note: awards will be given in the form of a money order and will be distributed to the person who submits the film via FilmFreeway. In some cases where the person winning the award is not the submitter [actors, screenwriters, etc], we may request an address to send the awards directly to the winner.)

Digital screeners only, via FilmFreeway. Please do not send us physical media.

Films must be no longer than 20:00. Filmmakers are free to submit as many films as they want.

Foreign-language films must have burned-in English subtitles.

There are no restrictions to when and where films were made.

Requests for fee waivers will largely be denied. We offer them only by invitation, and only in very specialized circumstances. As festivals go, our entry fees are VERY reasonable. So, you can ask, but we will almost certainly say No.

Our focus is independent films. Films produced, financed or initiated by a major film studio or television network will not be considered.

No explicit sex. Let me repeat that: no explicit sex, no matter how "artistic" it is. This includes penetration, and/or explicit views of genitals. However, general "R-rated" nudity is allowed.

No refunds will be issued based on non-compliance with the rules. In other words, if you submit a film that is 45 minutes long, it will automatically be disqualified, and no refund will be given. It is important to read all festival information carefully.

Screening selections are at the sole discretion of the Festival judges, and all decisions are final.

Exhibition copies (for accepted films) will only be accepted as a digital (downloadable) file (.MOV / .MP4 / .mpeg / Other–Please ask before you send).

Promotional materials and photographs for accepted films are strongly encouraged. We also encourage accepted filmmakers to do their own promotion of the Festival, on social media and otherwise, which will benefit all.


By submitting your film to the Texas Terrors Film Festival, you agree to the following:

I have read, understood, and fully comply with all submission eligibility information, Submission Guidelines, Terms and Conditions of Entry and Entry Eligibility requirements.

To the best of my knowledge, all of the statements in this submission are true.

The film or video being submitted is not subject to any litigation nor is threatened by any litigation and I am authorized to submit this film to the festival.

I hold Texas Terrors Film Festival and its production/promotion team harmless from any claims of liability for anything that might occur during the course of the festival or screening of the film.

I certify that I have full rights to the use of the music, print, images and everything contained in the film and/or promotional materials of the submitted film. I understand that if I have misrepresented my authority to use any of these elements, my film may be disqualified with no return of submission fee.

I give permission for Texas Terrors Film Festival to use stills, titles, trailers, copy, and/or information from the film for promotional purposes.

I give permission for Texas Terrors Film Festival to screen the film at the Festival for which it was submitted.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • David Hume Smith

    We were thrilled to have our short film be part of the festival. The communication was fantastic, and made us feel involved. Receiving a certificate in the mail from across the other side of the world was a really thoughtful touch and just another example of the festival going the extra mile for filmmakers. We hope to submit again in future, and would love to make the trip in person someday!

    February 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you David! "Babysitter" was a terrific entry into TTFF, best of luck with at other festivals!

  • This was a great festival experience, because Jeff was phenomenal with communication. Not only that, but he personally mailed out original art to the nominees. Some very cool films and glad to be a part of it! Looking forward to submitting again.

    February 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Many thanks, Luke. "Face Crusher" was a real hoot. :)

  • It was an honor to have my film, Photalgia, accepted into the festival. Jeff's communication and support was top notch. I hope things get back to normal to attend in person the next time my work is accepted. I look forward to submitting in the future.

    February 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks for the great words, Michael, looking forward to future submissions!

  • Jesse Cowan

    Good organizers, who are very pro-active and helpful and forward with communication. Glad to be part of Texas Terrors!

    February 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Many thanks Jesse. "Little Wolf" was a highlight of the festival, looking forward to future installments!

  • Matthew Barber

    Honored to have my short film "Go Back" screen at this year's online event!

    February 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Big thanks Matthew! Can't wait to see what you and your brother cook up next! :)