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.

45 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Zeddy Chevron

    Completely unique and important festival. Run by an excellent, creative, forward thinking team. No pretentiousness - an atmosphere of inclusivity and true indie art appreciation in a community-driven, socially engaging festival. If you have something strange and different to add to the found footage world, come here and be witnessed.

    April 2025
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  • McCurdy Point

    Had a blast! Everyone was so great! A lot of awesome FF films and we were humbled to be one of them! Would submit again!

    May 2025
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  • Richard Waters

    I can't speak higher of the fest, to be honest. Right from the get-go, all communication felt like it was coming from a genuine FF lover and someone who was positive and open with info. I wasn't able to attend the fest in person, but working with the team, I was able to still feel VERY involved and unlike some fests I couldn't attend, this one almost felt like I was an actual part of, even though I wasn't there physically. They did do a bit of a media push for the overall program, and sending on my film Distort to some places for reviews ahead of time (with my permission), and they were properly active on social media. You can't really ask for more, to be honest. But they still gave more by having probably the greatest program website alive with the throwback Windows desktop! And the blurb for the film had been updated by someone to add more viewer context to my film. Essentially, this was the opposite of phoning it in. Unnamed were very much on my radar anyway, but after this experience, other fests (let alone found footage exclusive ones) have a lot of work to do to rise up to the bar it has set!

    April 2025
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  • Stephen Escudero

    Love this festival. It was full of unique and special films, and is building such an awesome community. Enjoyed networking with fellow filmmakers! I want to attend in person next time, and enter Valhalla.

    April 2025
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  • Ripley Stevens

    The best festival. The best movies. The best people. I cannot wait to return in future!

    April 2025
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