CALLING ALL CREEPS!

You are cordially invited to take part in The Thing In The Basement Horror Fest! The aim is to celebrate independent artists within the horror community, whether they be filmmakers, photographers, screenwriters, animators, painters, or musicians, you have found a home with us!

THE HORROR!
**UPDATE**

Although live events are up in the air thanks to Covid. Awards and seasons will go on as planned with our streaming platform.

Horror for the Holidays is streaming now on Sparq, watch on Apple Tv and Roku.
The Basement Doors will open on Christmas for those wanting to help write Chapter 9.

SHRIEK!

Aside from live screenings (when its possible) of fantastic indie genre films, there will be multiple raffles throughout the event, merch booths, filmmaker and artist meet and greets, and an award ceremony to conclude each event.

GASP!

Accepting films of any length that fall anywhere within the realm of Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller, Drama, Mystery, Comedy, and anything in between. Don't be afraid to expand the spectrum of any of these genres! Scary, bloody, crude, animated, experimental, arthouse, or straight up bizarre; whatever you feel like sharing, We want to see it! We don't care about budget, We care about passion, so don't hold anything back!

THE TERROR!

Winning photography and art submissions may be printed and displayed at the venue, where guests may admire your work at the beginning and end of the event, as well as during any intermissions.

COVER YOUR EYES!

Any film that receives an official selection will remain in consideration for future live screenings, so even if your film isn’t screened for the event that you submitted to due to time constraints, we will keep them on standby so that we may work them into future screening slots at no extra cost, as well as promote them across our social medias.

JOIN US!

Awards & Prizes

-All Official Selections will receive a custom digital laurel created by the amazing Dave Dick, for promotional use on your social media, film posters, photography, or anything else you can think of!

-All Award Winners will be presented a personalized horror themed certificate at the award ceremony!

***OVERALL CATEGORIES ELIGIBLE FOR AWARDS***

Best Micro Short
Best Short
Best Extended Short
Best Feature
Best Director
Best Cinematography
Best Performance
Best Score/Sound Design
Best Photography
Best Digital Art
Best Screenplay
Best Film Trailer
Best Music Video
Best Horror
Best Science Fiction
Best Comedy
Best Animated
Best Gore
Best Mystery
Best Thriller
Best Drama
Best International

***ODDITIES AND CURIOSITIES***
Multiple raffles will be held throughout each event, giving everyone a chance to walk away with strange and unique prizes!

Rules & Terms

THE THING IN THE BASEMENT HORROR FEST SUBMISSION RULES & TERMS

1. Submission categories are open to the United States as well as international entries. Everyone is welcome!

2. We are currently only accepting submissions through FilmFreeway. All entries must have an online screener. We are not currently accepting DVD's or Blu-Ray screeners.

3. Foreign language entries must have English subtitles, but are more than welcome!

4. Applicants may submit as many entries as they wish, as long as each submission has a separate entry form and fee.

5. Entries must include contact information, with both an email address and phone number if possible.

6. Please make sure each project has the complete cast and crew listing (in case your project wins a certificate in specialized categories.)

7. You agree that you own the necessary rights to any and all materials featured within your project.

8. Your consent to print and display your photography or artwork in the theater lobby so the guests may admire your work at the beginning and end of the event, as well as during any intermissions.

9. You do not hold The Thing In The Basement Horror Fest, the owners of the theater, or any other staff, judges or personnel associated with the festival, responsible for any claims of liability, losses, copyright infringement, trademarks, or credits resulting from your entry.

10. You give full permission to the festival to use still, titles, and/or other information from your film for promotional purposes online via social media.

11. There are no restrictions on when or where your film was produced, send us whatever you would like to share!

12. All films will be considered regardless of budget. Judging is based on creativity, writing, directing, cinematography, and acting performances, as well as passion for the craft of filmmaking, and art as a whole. We will never dismiss a project based on budget or production value.

13. Submission fees are not refundable.
103 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Peter Anthony

    I had such a great experience with The Thing in The Basement Horror Fest. Communication has been impressive and much appreciated. I highly recommend them and will be looking forward to submitting all my work to them in the future.

    January 2023
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much for the kind words Peter! Rose Blood was well received and we'd love to see you back in The Basement anytime.

  • Stephen Tramontana

    Truly loved our interactions with The Thing In The Basement. Great fest, great communication, very accommodating with all of our questions and last minute element issues. Highly recommended.

    January 2023
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Appreciate you joining in for Chapter 8! Hope to checkout more of your work in the future, it's bloody and fun.

  • Mark Higgins

    Brilliant festival with a great team. I look forward to next years diabolical offerings.

    December 2022
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Yessss!! The Basement door is always open for you Mark. Thank you for the nice words.

  • Scott Herriott

    Great festival, great people. Recommended!

    December 2022
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much Scott, much appreciated! Great work with Unverified. Hope to see you in The Basement again soon.

  • Isaac Platizky

    A great festival that really appreciates Horror. Excellent communication, and would definitely submit again. Was very happy to have our horror anthology be part of this festival,

    December 2022
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Stoked to have Tales From the Narrow Bridge The Wyrmwood Devil down here for Chapter 8. Such an awesome film! Appreciate your kind words my friend.