The Unnamed Footage Festival showcases features and short films all in the genre of found footage horror or faux documentary. With this event, we want to present to an audience these films as a legitimate cinematic movement, not a mere subgenre of horror. Spanning from shot on video experiments of the early 90s to new unreleased and underseen features, and not focusing specifically on horror, the Unnamed Footage Festival is set on opening a dialogue regarding the entertainment and artistic values of first person narrative filmmaking.

The slate of films will consist of narratives shot in the first person, and show the exciting diversity within the medium that has gone uncelebrated until now. While THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT and PARANORMAL ACTIVITY defined the genre, many others have expanded and explored it more yet remain off the radar. UFF will offer audiences the chance to revisit older titles and discover new ones, while exploring comedy, science fiction, and drama, with an emphasis on the genre most often linked to found footage — horror movies.

UFF is currently looking for films made by anyone, anytime — there are no limits regarding completion date, or release status. Due to the nature of this genre, sometimes films take years to complete and slip through the cracks, and UFF’s goal is to hunt down and revive these movies, and give new films the chance to screen theatrically.

Awards & Prizes

Films submitted and accepted will be considered in competition, to be voted on by the audience and a jury. Awards given:

JURY AWARD - BEST FEATURE
JURY AWARD - BEST SHORT
JURY AWARD - BEST EDITING
JURY AWARD - BEST CAST
JURY AWARD - BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
JURY AWARD - BEST DIRECTING
AUDIENCE AWARD - BEST FEATURE
AUDIENCE AWARD - BEST SHORT

Rules & Terms

Submissions must comply with one of the categories listed:
Found Footage Horror
Faux Documentary
POV Cinema
Screenlife
ARG
Hybrid Found Footage

There are no limits regarding completion date or release status as long as the submitter has the authority to grant us permission to screen, can provide the needed materials, and consent forms or proof of ownership.

Screening formats: DCP, Blu-ray, DVD, and VHS tape.

Once accepted, materials must be provided promptly.

43 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Robbie Smith

    The Unnamed Footage Festival is an absolute blast from start to finish. Flawless communication, incredible hospitality, and a realistic (ie CHEAP!) submission fee. The programming is unparalleled for the adventurous film lover with their focus on Found Footage, Hybrid, and In-World camera films of all genres. We had a blast and we hope to attend in the future! Thanks for having us!

    April 2025
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  • sean kurosawa

    What a cool festival! Thank you for screening my film even though it's not strictly a horror film! I was very happy with the cool programming and introduction! It would have been great to be able to go there!

    April 2025
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  • Carmen Perez

    This festival is such a blast! Amazing communication from the organizers ahead of time, and the programming was excellent. Everyone involved, both organizers and filmmakers, are super nice and you can tell they're all so passionate about the medium. I'll absolutely be submitting again in the future!

    April 2025
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  • Zeke Farrow

    I love that this niche festival exists. I love its programmers and the films programmed. I’ve played here twice and can’t recommend it highly enough to anyone making found footage type films. A+++

    April 2025
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  • Danny Villanueva Jr.

    Wonderful festival team that is incredibly filmmaker friendly. I sadly couldn't attend because of travel distance, but based on the social media content from the staff and attendees, this looked like a blast! Long live found footage!

    April 2025
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