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

Welcome to The Dunwich Horror Fest! We accept submissions of all kinds. Be it short films, features, screenplays, photography, music/score, makeup FX or poetry. If you have a passion for it, then we would love to see it!

We have a true love for Horror and Sci-Fi, but please feel free to push the boundaries of what exactly that means! We are open to ANYTHING that falls anywhere close to horror, sci-fi, drama, thriller, etc. No restrictions on rating, length, or year it was produced; there is a place in the madness for you all! If it's bloody, gruesome, terrifying, hilarious or just straight up bizarre, we want to see it!

We hold a special black spot in our hearts for independent films with passion. Where you can feel the love for the genre from the filmmaker, despite 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 the HORROR!

-OCTOBER 2024 WINNERS-

BEST MICRO SHORT FILM
Intermission - Anna & Alex Liakos

BEST INTERNATIONAL MICRO SHORT FILM

The Ghost And His Unfortunate But Phenomenal Tale - Jim & Nick Zounis

BEST SHORT FILM
Glaistig - Cody Borden

BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM
Antisocial - Tobias Rothacker

BEST EXTENDED SHORT FILM
A Vampire’s Kiss - Mark Francis

BEST MAKEUP FX

Glaistig - Tatjana Bluchel & Mandolyn Raine Gorneau

BEST SHORT SCREENPLAY
Madness - Clemente Esparza II

BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT SCREENPLAY
Failures - Cesar Sanchis Romero

BEST OF THE FEST

Long About Midnight II - Matt J. Bond

AWARD CATEGORIES:
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

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 zombie trophy fees are non-refundable.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Always a great time with this film festival! Thank you guys so much! I appreciate all of
    your effort and time! See you on the next one!

    October 2024
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    Response from festival:

    We appreciate you joining us Omar! Jolt is a super fun short film and we're honored that you shared it with us!

  • My favorite genre is horror, and The Dunwich Horror Fest (DHF) delivered! I was excited to submit my first short to DHF and I was excited to be an "officially selection" and was beyond thrilled to be a "Finalist". Plus, there announcement video was so cool!

    Thank you all DHF! I truly appreciate everything! I'll see you soon with my next short! All the best!

    October 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for joining us and sharing The Days of Knight! We loved your work and truly look forward to seeing you return!

  • Vincent-louis Apruzzese

    Loved the video announcements of the finalists and winners. I was very happy and surprised to win an award and am grateful to be included in the festival.

    October 2024
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    Response from festival:

    We're honored to have had The Hound join our little festival! Thank you again and we hope to see more of your work!

  • Great communicative team with strong social media platforms, and cool custom laurels. Very grateful for winning Best of the Fest with Slasher Sessions. Thank you so much, Dunwich team!

    October 2024
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    Response from festival:

    We appreciate your kind words and support Thomas! Slasher Sessions deserves all the love and praise! Awesome work from everyone involved, and we hope to see you again!