The Dead of Night Film Festival is part of the ever growing International horror film festival circuit and is Merseyside’s only film festival dedicated to horror.

The objective of our festival is to elevate independent horror filmmaking voices’ by bringing new independent horror short and feature length films to the genre loving public of Merseyside.

We understand how hard it can be for Independent filmmakers to get theatrical releases for their movies and we want to help find them the audience they deserve.

Film festivals are such an important part of independent horror cinema and are the best way to get their movies seen around the globe.

This year we will screen 6 feature films and 20 short films in a cinema auditorium with 75 comfortable seats and an Optoma 8000-lumens projector, plus 5.1 Surround Sound to present an immersive cinematic experience.

Featured in DREAD Central’s The Best Horror Festivals 2022 list.

We hope you can join us for some horrific movie fun this October.

Best Feature

Best Short 

Best SFX
Best Score
Best Poster

Rules & Terms
DETAILS and ELIGIBILITY 
Dead of Night is open to short and feature films that come under the genre umbrella, whether that be dark thrillers, fantasy, exploitation, comedy etc. But there must be horror/dark themes.

Please let us know if the screening will be a UK and or World Premiere.

Short Films - Under 50 Minutes 

Feature Films - Over 50 Minutes

Film format must be either Download link, Blu-Ray or DVD

The main contact submitting must be authorised to do so, and must have permission from any sales agents or distributors involved. When completing the submission process you agree to have the necessary rights for screening the film at The Dead of Night Film Festival.

SUBMISSIONS 
Submissions can ONLY be made through the FilmFreeway website. There is no other way.

FEES 
Submissions are subject to fees and these are non-refundable and final.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE 
Foreign language films are welcomed, we must insist that non English dialogue movies must be subtitled in English. We prefer not to have them dubbed.

MULTIPLE ENTRIES 
You may submit as many films and shorts as you want.

NOTIFICATION 
All applicants will receive an email shortly after the closing date whether they have been successful or not.

SELECTION PROCEDURE 
Each film submitted will be viewed by at least two members of The Dead of Night Film Festival selection committee. All decisions on are final .

SELECTION 
If selected the screening copy of the film must be with us by no later than 1st October and once selected you guarantee that the film cannot be withdrawn from the festival .

PUBLICITY AND PRESS 
By submitting to Dead of Night you agree to the use of stills in press and publicity for the festival. These may be included in our official programme, press releases, on our website plus all social media platforms.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Dead Of Night

    Thank you so much for the selection. This felt like pure serendipity to have our micro-short of the same name selected by The Dead of Night Film Festival. Communication and promotion was excellent. 10000% would submit again!

    December 2024
  • Lisa Soper

    A great group of people with a really lovely festival. Super grateful for being included this year, and looking forward to submitting again soon!

    November 2024
  • Red Planet Production

    The festival was fantastic, and it was a real pleasure to present Juggernaut to such an appreciative audience.

    October 2024
  • Kevin Harvey

    An incredible festival to be apart of. Stu, the festival organiser, goes above and beyond to make you feel welcome and the communication, pre and post festival, was exceptional. I was gutted I couldn't make it up in person for the screening but hope to next year. Thanks again for everything Stu!

    October 2024
  • Rubi Rock

    A great festival with excellent films, and we are proud to have been selected. We hope to be part of it again in the coming years!

    October 2024