Tucson Terrorfest is Southern Arizona’s only Horror Film Festival, and now Horror Convention. Its our mission to showcase and celebrate the best of horror films from all over the world. We focus on the artistic, aesthetic, and fun side of independent horror filmmaking. We bring Tucson & Southern Arizona a terrifying mix of features and shorts that will give chills up your spine. Along with the convention that will run Oct. 15th to 18th 2026.

The Tucson Terrorfest will showcase premieres, exclusives, and one-time-only screenings of some of the best and newest horror films from around the globe:

• Horrifying shorts and feature films from new filmmakers
• Q&A’s with horror filmmakers, actors, and special guests
• Retrospective and vintage horror film screenings
• Frightening international cinema
• Banned and edgy late night horror films
• Awards for the best of horror filmmaking

Awards & Prizes

AWARDS
Tucson Terrorfest is now an awards festival. We will be giving out an award for
Best Horror Feature
Best Horror Short
Best Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Horror Feature Screenplay
Best Horror Short Screenplay
Best Thriller Feature Screenplay
Best Thriller Short Screenplay

Rules & Terms

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Foreign language films must be dubbed or subtitled in English. You can include press kits or any other materials for your film. We have no film premiere requirements or date of completion requirements. Over 60 minutes for features and under 60 minutes for shorts. The festival selection committee makes all programming decisions. If accepted we will notify filmmakers by email by October 1st, most times earlier.
10 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Dale Thomas Cizmadia

    Tucson Terror Fest continues to prove itself as one of Arizona’s most essential horror film events. The 2025 edition brought together a dynamic mix of genre veterans, emerging indie filmmakers, and dedicated horror audiences for a weekend that felt both professionally run and creatively electric.

    A standout moment included a screening of Sleepwalkers, followed by an in-depth Q&A with writer-director Mick Garris. Known for his work on Amazing Stories and the acclaimed television adaptation of The Stand, Garris provided thoughtful insight into his career and creative process—offering a rare opportunity for filmmakers and fans alike to engage directly with a genre icon.

    The festival struck an ideal balance between industry access and grassroots community energy. Theaters remained full throughout the weekend, with filmmakers and audience members connecting across screenings, panels, and networking events.

    Under the leadership of festival director David Pike, Tucson Terror Fest delivered a programming lineup that celebrated bold storytelling, practical effects, and new voices in horror—cementing its reputation as a must-attend event in the Arizona genre circuit.

    October 2025
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  • eric chou

    Thank you so much for having my title: Where the river flows!
    Hope to have the next chance!!

    October 2025
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  • Joseph Neibich and Joseph Nybyk Pictures

    Great slate of films and Such a great place to network. I can't wait for next year.

    October 2025
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  • Paul Thompson

    Had an amazing time at the Tuscan Terrorfest of 2024. Though this is a small festival, it is run by passionate fans of the genre, and takes place in the heart of Tucson with bars, restaurants and crowds of people who might just walk in and check out your film because they have it on a classic marquee. The organizer David Pike was hands on and welcoming to us, and the screenings were polished with great picture and sound too! So glad we attended and we hope to visit again!

    November 2024
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  • Rebecca Thomson

    Unfortunately I was unable to attend in person but appreciated being selected, and in fact winning an award - the communication from the festival was really good and I hope to make it in person one day.

    November 2024
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