"The Old Ones were, the Old Ones are, and the Old Ones shall be..."

Welcome to The Dunwich Horror Fest! We are passionate about uplifting and supporting independent filmmakers and artists! Be it short films, features, screenplays, photography, music/score, makeup FX or poetry. If you have a love for it, then we want to see it!

Don't let the name fool you, we accept projects of all kinds! Whether it’s comedy, drama, action, thriller, romance, fantasy, experimental, horror, science fiction, documentary or anything else you can dream up, we're ready for it! No restrictions on rating, length, or year it was produced; there is a place for you all! We proudly support creators across all walks of life, and will always be a safe and inclusive experience!

We hold a special black spot in our hearts for independent films with passion. Where you can feel the love for the craft from the filmmakers, no matter the size and scope of the project.

We don't believe in judging projects simply based on budgetary restraints. We will judge a film with a $50 budget the same as a $500,000 budget. If the heart is there, then we'll see it and be proud to showcase your talents!

Each month we hold an award ceremony where we announce the best projects in each category, and the winners will be given a custom certificate for their excellent work! One overall project who we feel truly embodies the essence of STRANGE will win Best of the Fest!

"...Not in the spaces we know, but between them. They walk serene and primal, undimensioned and to us unseen."

Share your creations and JOIN US!

Awards & Prizes

—MAY 2026 WINNERS—

BEST BITE SIZED HORROR
Still Water - Phil Longden

BEST MICRO SHORT FILM
Happy Birthday - Vania Vasquez & Cynthia Bergen

BEST INTERNATIONAL MICRO SHORT FILM
Behind The Door - Leonardo Valenti

BEST SHORT FILM
Molt - Etta Fontenot

BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM
We’ll Be Right Back - Lorena Stefania De Maddalena

Best Short Film
(Under 15 minutes)
Noise Within - Joseph Ausanio

Best Short Film
(Under 10 minutes)
Where Are You Alice? - Tristan Meli

BEST EXTENDED SHORT FILM
Cupid - Jay Palmieri Jr.

BEST INTERNATIONAL EXTENDED SHORT FILM
No A Todos Los Muertos se les Festeja - Luis "Yayo" Angel Villa Meza

BEST ACTOR
Rome Romanne - Worth Taking

BEST POETRY
Mourn - Lidia Codo

BEST MICRO SHORT SCREENPLAY
Classic Video Store - Mićo Ivanović

BEST SHORT SCREENPLAY
Quack - Kirene Bolsen-Long

BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT SCREENPLAY
I Am Fine - Jamie Sloan

BEST SHORT SCREENPLAY
(Under 10 Pages)
Please, No Talking During The Movie - Aaron Mendoza

BEST FEATURE SCREENPLAY
Goldy - Gregory Funaro

BEST FEATURE SCREENPLAY
(Under 100 Pages)
The Station - Nick Nelsen

BEST FEATURE SCREENPLAY
(Under 90 Pages)
Skinner - Byron Vasquez Jr.

BEST OF THE FEST
Night Shift At Ned’s - Hagen Mattingly

AWARD CATEGORIES:
Best Bite Sized Horror
Best Micro Short Film
Best Short Film
Best Extended Short
Best Feature Film
Best Photography
Best Music/Score
Best Art/Painting/Poetry/Makeup FX
Best Short Screenplay
Best Feature Screenplay

*Sub categories may be added*

Rules & Terms

We only accept submissions through FilmFreeway

Submissions are open to the US and international entries.

You own the rights to your submitted works.

You don't hold The Dunwich Horror Fest responsible for claims of liability, losses, copyright, trademarks, infringement, or credits from your submission.

You give permission for us to promote and share your work on social media, including Instagram and YouTube.

There are no restrictions on when or where your film was produced.

Submission and trophy fees are non-refundable.
109 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Phil Longden

    Thank you for recognizing my short film, Still Water, as well as my short screenplay, Bountiful, over the past few months! I’m looking forward to sharing more work with Dunwich!

    June 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    We really enjoy your work Phil! We can't wait to see any of your creations!

  • Gregory Funaro

    Thank you to the Dunwich Horror Fest for my award for Goldy. Such an honor, and what a pleasure to part of such an amazing festival--great communication and social media presence, and just a cool bunch of folks all around. This was my first ever win, and this festival will always hold a special place in my heart. Thanks again!

    June 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    We really appreciate your support Gregory! Goldy is a fantastic script and we had a ton of fun reading it! We are honored to be your first win, and we know you have so many more ahead of you! Come on back any time!

  • Mićo Ivanović

    Thank you Dunwich Horror Fest Team for all the awards from this year and last year. It’s a really cool Horror Fest, and it’s been a pleasure being part of it. The stories and posters by the other artists sound—and look—fantastic as well. The winner announcements are awesome, too—very exciting!
    I think I’ve probably scared you enough with my stories for a while, but I’ll be back to haunt you again.
    Halloween seems like the perfect time for that, doesn't it?!
    See you then, and all the best! : )

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for your continued support Mićo! You could never haunt us TOO much! We love your work, and are always so excited when we see your name come up!

  • ROME ROMANNE

    THE DUNWICH HORROR FEST blows me away (& it's not only because I just won BEST ACTOR, woo-hoo!). With an iconic moniker & cool-dark (yet welcoming!) atmosphere & macabre vibe, I say this without hesitation: being part of this festival has, so far, been THE BEST EXPERIENCE I've ever had in any of the festivals this season! Only two festivals have thus far initiated great communication & assistance & Dunwich is right up there, with quick & generous responses from this attentive, caring team. The jury is also smart & sophisticated enough to comprehend deep subtext & analogy of my film's material, which I greatly & deeply respect. Most importantly, Dunwich Horror Fest makes me feel like I matter, to a degree that I have not received from any other festival. I am COMPLETELY PROUD to be part of Dunwich Horror Fest & I can't express enough how grateful I am to this beautiful festival. I will, from now on, make this fantastic fest part of my permanent submission rotation. Bravo DUNWICH HORROR FESTIVAL & thank you. You forever have a devoted fan in me!

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    We truly appreciate your kind words Rome! We loved your performance in Worth Taking, and want you to know that you DO matter! We really hope we get to see more of your talents in the seasons to come!

  • Joseph Ausanio

    The Dunwich Horror Fest is AMAZING! 
Truly honored that my short film, “Noise Within” won the Short Film (under 15 minutes) category. Thank you so much for supporting us, it means a lot to us!

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for doing us Joseph! Noise Within is a terrific short film with great performances! We hope to see you again!