Trash Film Festival is an international festival of low-budget movies.

The festival does NOT feature drama, documentary or art films, but exclusively entertaining films which can be put into one of the following categories: action, martial arts, science-fiction and horror. Exaggeration in genre attributes is desirable. On the final evening, the festival award Golden Chainsaw is given to the best movies.
Trash Film Festival is much more than just a review - it is a large glam-trash event in which all present play role; guests, organizers, performers and contestants. Great care is taken to organize concerts, kitsch parties and red carpet events.

Awards & Prizes

Golden Chainsaw

Trash Film Festival award is called Golden Chainsaw. It is given for:
- Best Action movie
- Best Martial-Arts movie
- Best SF movie
- Best Horror movie
- Best movie chosen by audience

Why chainsaw?

A chainsaw is a useful tool and above all powerful and attractive gear which symbolizes penetrating, devastating, but controlled male energy. It is a compound of a rational mind who seeks for the optimum between power and loss, and insane irrational mind who kills for fun in a most cruel way.
The Chainsaw will turn against it’s master in a fantastic explosion which will wipe all the world’s trash and bring us back to the point zero. To the point of primary Trash!

Rules & Terms

TRASH FILM FESTIVAL takes place in Varaždin, Croatia, during the second week of September.

1.All professional and non-professional filmmakers have the right to participate.
2.The duration of a film is limited. The maximum film duration is 60 minutes.
3.Only films in the following genres will be accepted for the competition: Martial Arts, Science Fiction (SF), Action, and Horror.
4.All films MUST BE subtitled in English, and the subtitles must be hardcoded (burnt in).
5.Only selected movies will be screened during the festival. They will be chosen by the movie selector.
6.Submitted movies will be copied and retained by the organizer in the archive of the Trash Film Festival.
7.To authors whose films are not included in the official selection of TFF, the festival fee will not be refunded.
8.No fees or compensation will be paid to authors or producers for screenings. The organizer reserves the right to screen movies or excerpts of selected movies on the Internet, TV, or at public projections for promotional purposes only.
9.By submitting movies through FilmFreeway, the author or producer confirms that they comply with the rules set forth by the TRASH FILM FESTIVAL.
50 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Ashley Butcher

    A hidden gem on the festival circuit, that absolutely should not be hidden!

    We had the honour to have our short film Terminus screened in the beautiful town of Varaždin (Croatia) courtesy of the Trash Film Festival. Don't let the name put you off, this festival has one of the most dedicated and passionate audiences we've encountered. A number of industry players are taking note and attending this festival too these days, but this is not a networking event.

    If you are selected, make sure you take the opportunity to travel to Varaždin and experience the festival first hand. Their love for cinema, their humour, their enthusiasm, is intoxicating and infectious. Go and find out what everyone else has managed to accomplish for meagre budgets, and celebrate filmmaking. You will have an absolute blast!

    The entire team at the Trash Film Festival are the loveliest people you will ever meet. We have never felt so warmly welcome as we have been made to feel in Varaždin. We love this festival, and we love the town, and we can't wait to be back there with a future project... or even just to visit!

    December 2025
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  • Takeaki Abe

    It’s wonderful Film Festival!
    We were truly happy and honored to be part of this amazing festival!
    We appreciate for all of the staff and attending members!
    Wishing this Festival more growing up and successful!

    September 2025
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  • Bernardo Alejandro LORENZO

    Our first time in Croatia with CNXS shortmovie. Thanks for the festival.

    September 2025
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  • Michael Dorfman

    Fantastic festival and filmmakers! Honored that our short film was selected and screened!! Excellent updates on social media, great communication, and an all around incredible experience. We love TRASH!! Highly recommend!!

    September 2025
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  • Richard Horn

    Overall it was a wonderful experience. Thank you!

    September 2025
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