The Dark Fest is a film and script award festival.
We accept feature films, short films, short film scripts and digital media projects in the following genres: Horror, Sci-Fi, Mystery, film noir, and Thriller. Including any cross-genre films that strongly incorporate at least one of these genres. Feature films are in award competition only and will not be screened.
Films are in competition for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards.
Fan films are also accepted.
Additional winning categories will receive laurels and digital certificates.
All winning projects will be featured in our awards ceremony video.
In addition to the live screening we will also hold a virtual event that accompanies the live event. All selected film will also screen in the virtual event.
*****OUR PROMISE TO YOU*****
1. Our judges will watch every single submitted film in full. We owe that to you.
2. Our festival does provide FREE plaques and certificates as well as prizes, you will never have to pay for an award plaque or certificate. We owe that to you.
3. Our directors will make sure to update the status of your submission in a timely manner so that you are fully aware of your submission process. We owe that to you.
4. We will listen to your critical feedback and we will do our best to continue to make The Dark Fest one of the best festivals for filmmakers. We owe that to you.
The Dark Fest will award a total of 13 coveted Dark Fest award statues, and an additional 41 awards certificates, for a massive 54 total awards.
Note: Every filmmaker that submits will be allowed to screen their film in the virtual event held on our website and will be allowed to participate in awards. Not all films will screen at the live event, only the top rated films will screen until allotted time has been filled.
The following prizes will be awarded in the following categories:
Best Short Film:
1st Place Winner Plaque
2nd Place Winner certificate
3rd Place Winner certificate
Best Script:
1st Place Best Script Plaque
2nd Place Winner certificate
3rd Place Winner certificate
Best Category Award:
Sci-Fi, Noir, Thriller, Horror, Dark Humanity, Dark Comedy
1st Place Best Catagory Plaque
2nd Place Winner certificate
3rd Place Winner certificate
(1st, 2nd, and 3rd awards for each category)
Best Screenplay:
1st Place Best Screenplay Plaque
2nd Place Winner certificate
3rd Place Winner certificate
Best Feature Film:
1st Place Winner Plaque
2nd Place Winner certificate
3rd Place Winner certificate
(Only Trailer will screen at live event, Features can be included in virtual event upon approval by filmmaker)
With the following additional special award certificates:
Jury Award (Judges overall favorite project)
Creativity Award (the project that shows the best signs of creativity)
Merit Award (the project that shows exceptional talent no matter the budget)
*Additional 1st, 2nd, and 3rd awards are presented via a digital certificate:
Best: Director, Editor, Cinematographer, Writer, Actor, Score, Concept
*No plaques, prizes or certificates will be provided for these categories, digital certificates only.