The Vancouver Horror Show Film Festival

In just five years, Vancouver Horror Show has become an internationally recognized festival, known for incredibly curated programs, a particularly strong and competitive screenwriting competition and boasting the subsequently unique Table Read Series. The VHS is known for celebrating independent films in the horror and horror-adjacent genres -- highlighting excellence in storytelling that spans the full breadth and depth of the genre. From side-splitting hilarity, to dark and psychological to sci-fi and fantasy films and everything in between -- if there's a hint of horror, It's eligible for the Vancouver Horror Show.

The Vancouver Horror Show Film Festival is unmatched in its hands-on management and promotion. The festival works hard to get press, not only for the festival itself, but for the films and filmmakers that are selected to be a part of their lineup. The festivals ethos is one of supporting and bolstering the filmmakers who work so hard to make great films. VHS wants the world to know just how great these films are, and just how phenomenal the folks who work on them are. Additionally, the festival runs a social media campaign called 'Submission Spotlight' that highlights films submitted regardless of their ultimate success in the festival lineup -- VHS believes in supporting filmmakers at every step along the way.

In 2022, the VHS took place over four days with screenings held at Cineplex Entertainment and independent cinemas across Vancouver. The festival featured an intimate meet-and-greet opening night party for filmmakers and industry personal (and yes, there was horror-themed improv, a magician, a hot pink media wall, and lots of champagne!). 36 short films and three feature premieres screened at the in-person festival including the Vancouver premiere of Damien Leone's Terrifier 2. An additional 25 shorts and three features screened online. VHS 2022 also introduced the festival's first industry panel -- VHS Talks: "The Female Gaze" -- which featured horror director Karen Lam, actor and chair of UBCP/ACTRA's women's committee Enid-Raye Adams, and horror scholar and critical analyst Dr. Kelly Doyle.

What you can expect from being part of VHS:
1) Excellent communication and promotion of your work. Successful filmmakers in 2022 received press coverage on CBC Radio, Global News, the Vancouver Guardian, and the Vancouver Sun.
2) See your film screened in a Cineplex Entertainment theatre!
3) Opportunity for industry meet and greets - Vancouver is Hollywood North after all!
4) A festival team that truly exists to celebrate your work
5) Our social media game is ON POINT - we reach around 30,000 accounts during festival season, and our web traffic saw 70,000 unique visitors in October 2022 alone!

Submissions for 2023 are currently open and we can't wait to see what you've done!