Austin After Dark Film Festival

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Austin Film Festival
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The Austin After Dark Film Festival is a seasonal event on the Film Festival Circuit that screens international independent films for a mature audience in Texas. This event was founded by author and retired filmmaker Mikel Fair who worked on location in the Film and Television industry from 1999-2015. Multiple short films are screened for a live audience. The Austin After Dark Film Festival judges are searching for films with "dark" subject matter in multiple genres. Horror Films, Dark Comedy, Dark Animation Films, Dark Drama and even Dark Science Fiction. This is the wrong festival to send your fun family G Rated films and screenplays too. The audience for this event wants a good variety of mature content that is not intended for viewers younger than 18.

Looking for a FilmFreeway Waiver Code Discounts or Promo Code Discounts?
https://filmfestivalcircuit.com/blog/FilmFreeway-promo-codes

Award Categories For Films And Videos

Best Action Film
Best Acting Performance
Best Animated Film
Best Cinematography
Best Comedy Film
Best Dark Comedy Film
Best Dark Science Fiction Film
Best Documentary Film
Best Drama Film
Best Director
Best Editing
Best Ensemble Cast
Best Experimental Film
Best Horror Film
Best Horror Comedy Film
Best International Director
Best International Film
Best Mockumentary Film
Best Music Video
Best Proof of Concept
Best Series Episode
Best Texas Film
Most Original Concept

Award Categories For Screenplays

Best Comedy Feature Length Screenplay
Best Comedy Short Screenplay**
Best Dark Comedy Feature Length Screenplay
Best Dark Comedy Short Screenplay**
Best Drama Feature Length Screenplay
Best Drama Short Screenplay**
Best Dark Drama Feature Length Screenplay
Best Dark Drama Short Screenplay**
Best Horror Feature Screenplay
Best Horror Short Screenplay**
Best Horror Comedy Feature Length Screenplay
Best Horror Comedy Short Screenplay**
Best Dark Science Fiction Feature Length Screenplay
Best Dark Science Fiction Short Screenplay**
Best Texas Feature Length Screenplay
Best Texas Short Screenplay**
Best Comedy Series Full Length Episode
Best Comedy Series Short Episode**

**60 pages or less

All films are eligible, regardless if they have distribution or not. All films are eligible even if they have been accepted to other film festivals. All films and videos are eligible, regardless of when or where they were produced. Even if your film or documentary series is publicly available on YouTube or Vimeo, it is still eligible for submission.

All film screenings at the our venue require files to be delivered in DCP 2k or 4k format. If your film is not in DCP format, please reach out to our vendor AutoDCP.com for a quote. Film Festival submission fees and DCP conversion fees are separate. The cost of any potential conversions is not covered by our festival. Please budget accordingly.

The submission fee does not include an event ticket fee if selected. Submission fees and event ticket fees are separate. The cost of attending this event is $50 for the entire day. Every attendee must have a ticket. There are no filmmaker passes.

The judges read and rate scripts for this specific competition only. Submitting to this film festival does not affect the ownership or copyright your screenplay or teleplay.

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Kimberly Melville

Great festival. Happy to have been a part of it.

February 2025

Helpful
Steve Mikals

A big thanks to Mikel Fair and all the judges for all the support and recognition my Feature Length Screenplay, SPEAK MONKEY SPEAK ,received on the Comedy Film Festival Circuit in 2024!!!!!

December 2024

Helpful
Lorenzo Manetti

We were unfortunately not able to attend Austin After Dark, but had an incredible experience with Mikel Fair and the festival’s team. Their communication and enthusiasm leading up to the event was excellent. We are honored to have had our short film, ESCAPE, be a part of the fest. As we embark on our next project, I really hope we are able to participate again, and experience Austin After Dark in person! Thank you again for including us!

November 2024

Helpful
Matt Kaminski

Great event will attend again

November 2024

Helpful
Carlos Perez

Excellent festival with helpful and kind people in charge. Definitely worth it. Glad I entered.

November 2024

Helpful

Add to List

Dates & Deadlines

September 23, 2024
Opening Date
December 31, 2024
First Deadline
January 31, 2025
Early Deadline
March 31, 2025
Regular Deadline
May 31, 2025
Late Deadline
July 31, 2025
Final Deadline
August 10, 2025
Notification Date
October 23, 2025
Event Date

Categories & Fees

Action Film
This category is reserved for films with intense action, fighting, chase scenes, driving sequences, acrobatics, gun fights, martial arts, dangerous situations, or some element that fuels the audience with adrenaline. The judges are looking for tense moments, strong editing, great cinematography and good sound design.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60
Submit Now
Animated Film
This category is reserved for cartoons, 2D animation, 3D animation, clay animation, sand animation, Anime, Computer Graphics, Puppetry Animation, Stop-Motion, Flip Book Animation, Experimental Animation and any form of animated films that may exist. Films that have a mixture of animated elements and live action characters are eligible for this category as well.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60
Submit Now
Comedy Film
This category is reserved for films that make people laugh. The judges are looking for films that have funny moments, comedic situations, fun dialogue, humorous acting, and great characters. This event has screened great musicals, sketch comedy, stand-up comedy, family comedy, silent comedy, slapstick comedy, action comedy, student comedy, fake commercials and more at our past events.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60
Submit Now
Dark Comedy Film
This category is reserved for films that are on the darker side of the comedy genre. Sometimes referred to as “Black Comedy” these films have a sick sense of humor and may not be suitable for mainstream festivals. Often times these films end with the death of a character or have some strange gruesome scenes. Dark comedy films can make you laugh and cringe at the same time. If your audience laughs and then says “that’s messed up,” then you’ve probably produced something pretty dark. This event has screened dark comedy films that feature strange cruelty, or feature characters that are trying to get rid of a dead body, or they accidentally poison the wrong person, or even dream of murders, dark situations and revenge with strange dark comedic elements.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $55.01
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60
Submit Now
Dark Comedy Series Episode
This category is reserved for an episode or pilot that is on the darker side of the comedy genre and is a part of an ongoing series. Sometimes referred to as “Black Comedy” these films have a sick sense of humor and may not be suitable for mainstream festivals. Oftentimes these stories end with the death of a character or have some strange gruesome scenes. Dark comedy shows can make you laugh and cringe at the same time. If your audience laughs and then says “that’s messed up,” then you’ve probably produced something pretty dark. This event has screened dark comedy episodes that feature strange cruelty, or feature characters that are trying to get rid of a dead body, or they accidentally poison the wrong person, or even dream of murders, dark situations and revenge with strange dark comedic elements.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60
Submit Now
Dark Drama Film
This category is reserved for a Drama Film that is intended for a mature audience that is at least 18 years old. Films that could deal with a variety of darker topics like murder, death, abuse, torture, suicide, depression, hallucinations, shootings, police investigations, gang violence, kidnapping, riots, uncomfortable risky situations, verbal abuse, war, PTSD, flashbacks, psychological breakdowns, or some other topic that fits into a “darker” Drama category and not necessarily in the Horror Film Category. Films with graphic sex scenes or nudity should submitted to this category as opposed to the regular Drama Category. This will help our staff with late night event scheduling in order to avoid screening this material for minors.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60
Submit Now
Dark Fantasy Film
This category is reserved for films about dark magic, mythology, the supernatural, wizards, sorcerors, hauntings, ghosts, witches, voodoo, curses, super powers, magical artifacts, potions, dragons, mythical creatures, or something similar? The judges are looking for darker fantasy films that appeal to a mature audience.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60
Submit Now
Dark Science Fiction Film
This category is reserved for films that are exploring the future, time travel, space, disease outbreaks, experiments, aliens, or any other concept that involves technology that may not exist yet? Great sound design, musical score, cinematography, visual effects or special effects are appreciated by the judges. When surveyed, our audience loves dark science fiction content with a vibe like Terminator, Alien, District 9, The Expanse, Minority Report, Twelve Monkeys, Fifth Element\, etc ...
- First Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60
Submit Now
Drama Film
This category is reserved for films with fiction or non-fiction that the audience can relate to in a "real-life" kind of way. Stories about people and situations of a more serious nature. Films that have strong acting and great writing. Films that bring out emotions in the audience are what the judges are looking for. Strong drama films deal with a variety of issues. Everything from post traumatic stress disorder, depression, economic depressiong, bullying, loss of life, medical dramas, stories about overcoming adversity, period dramas, sports stories, LGBTQ issues, immigration issues, racism, sexism, poverty, revenge, law enforcement issues, coming of age stories, and more, have all screened at this event in the past. Beautiful cinematography, good production value and great music are viewed favorably by our judges, especially in the drama category.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60
Submit Now
Documentary Film
This category is reserved for documentary films or series episodes with thought provoking short stories about real life, interesting people, great stories, historical research, medical issues, sports stories, coming of age stories, political issues, war stories, racism, gender issues, LGBTQ stories, social justice issues, artists, musicians, actors, professionals, technologies, depression or any other non-fiction topic. All flavors of well documented films and stories are eligible from anywhere in the world, and in any language. (with English subtitles or voice-over)
- First Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60
Submit Now
Experimental Film
This category is reserved for films that are outside of the Hollywood mainstream. Creative works that some would consider odd, strange, artistic, weird, innovative, fresh, enlightening, inspirational, confusing, mysterious, futuristic, retro, or difficult to classify. Experimental films must have some element that has something truly unique about it.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60
Submit Now
Found Footage Horror Film
This category is specifically for the horror genre, focusing on fictional recordings that appear as if they were made using old video camera tapes or found footage. In these films, it may not always be clear when or where the events took place for the characters involved. The point of view is often shown through multiple characters who recorded the action and events as they unfolded. The overall production intentionally creates a shaky, partially lit, or out-of-focus style to enhance realism and build tension. Blockbuster films like "The Blair Witch Project," "Cloverfield," and "Paranormal Activity" are well-known examples. Additionally, the show "Archive 81" on Netflix features a character restoring found footage to solve mysteries. If you have created a frightening found-footage film that evokes screams of fear, this is the perfect category for it.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60
Submit Now
Horror Comedy Film
This category is reserved for comedy films in the horror film genre, that are full of jokes? Is it a Slasher parody, is it a reality show about vegetarian Vampires or Redneck Zombies? Is your film full of 80's era bad one-liners, full of nudity for no reason? You know if your film is a Horror Comedy Film, the question is, are you going to send it to us?
- First Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60
Submit Now
Horror Film
This category is reserved for creative and scary Horror Films that have adrenaline pumping moments. Do you have a film that was intentionally created to scare people? Does your film depict any horrifying action sequences, blood, gore, monsters, psychotic people, slashing, stalking, zombies, vampires, disease outbreaks, demonic possession, haunted buildings, or any other elements that would classify your film as a true horror film? Great sound design, musical score, cinematography, visual effects or special effects are appreciated by the judges.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60
Submit Now
Horror Music Video
This category is reserved for music videos created with Horror or Horror Comedy related themes. Music vidoes we have screened in the past have had plenty of blood, gore, nudity, violence, scary images, creatures, zombies, vampires or other Horror related imagery. Great cinematography, costumes and editing are a big plus with the judges.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
Submit Now
Horror Series Episode
This category is reserved for creative and scary Horror series episodes that have adrenaline pumping moments. Do you have an episode from a horror series that was intentionally created to scare people? Does your episode depict any horrifying action sequences, blood, gore, monsters, psychotic people, slashing, stalking, zombies, vampires, disease outbreaks, demonic possession, haunted buildings, or any other elements that would classify your ongoing series as a true horror genre experience? Examples of ongoing Horror Series are shows like The Walking Dead, Z Nation, Stranger Things and American Horror Story.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60
Submit Now
Music Video
This category is reserved for music videos of all musical genres. The judges are impressed by good stories, great acting, excellent cinematography, and cool editing that syncs really well with the music.If your music video is publicly available on Vimeo, Vevo or YouTube, your submission is qualified for entry. Official selections, nominations or awards on the Film Festival Circuit may help your video get exposure. The time limit for the Music Video category is five minutes and fifty nine seconds (05:59) including all credits.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
Submit Now
Proof Of Concept
Is your film or video a proof-of-concept for a feature length film or ongoing series? We give additional award consideration and public recognition to submissions that are created in a form that is 30 minutes or less, but are intended to show investors, distributors and production companies a sample of a larger project. Please understand, we are giving recognition to submissions that are a proof-of-concept, but this film festival is not your personal sales agent. We do not sell your work and negotiate business deals on your behalf.. You represent your own creative content at all times. Submitting to multiple categories is optional and makes your submission eligible for more awards.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60
Submit Now
Relationship Drama Film
This category is reserved for Relationship Drama films with storylines about relationships, love, dating or romantic situations. We’ve received submissions in the past with some of the following film topics: Lost love, break-ups, separation, divorce, re-marriage, rekindling old flames, therapy sessions, dating stories, love stories, trust issues, growing old, growing apart, surviving traumatic experiences with a loved one, unexpected romance, random hook-ups, sexual exploration and more. The judges are looking for strong acting, good stories and dramatic situations.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60
Submit Now
Suspense Thriller Film
This category is reserved for films with intense dramatic moments. Stories featuring characters that are fighting for their lives or involved in intense situations. Films like Silence of the Lambs, Seven, Panic Room, Zodiac, etc … all have adrenaline pumping scenes, emotions and dangerous situations, but are not considered action films, like a martial arts flick or “Fast and the Furious” type of film. The judges are looking for tense moments, strong editing and good sound design.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60
Submit Now
Feature Film (All Genres)
The Austin After Dark Film Festival’s feature film submission category is for projects intended for a mature audience. We accept films in a wide range of genres, including Action, Animated, Comedy, Dark Comedy, Dark Drama, Dark Fantasy, Dark Science Fiction, Drama, Documentary, Experimental, Found Footage Horror, Horror Comedy, Horror, Relationship Drama, and Suspense Thriller. To be eligible, your film must be between 31 and 120 minutes in length and ready for future distribution in theaters or on a major streaming platform. Our judges look for strong cinematography, compelling acting, and skillful editing. If your film meets these standards and pushes creative boundaries, we look forward to reviewing your work.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $100
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $100
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $100
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $100
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $100
Submit Now
Screenplay: Comedy Short (1-60 pages)
This category is reserved for screenplays that are funny, engaging and make people laugh. The judges are looking for screenplays that have great character development, funny moments, comedic situations, smart dialogue, humorous personalities, and a storyline that is easy to follow. Most genres of comedy screenplays fit into this category. General comedy, musicals, sketch comedy, stand-up comedy, family comedy, slapstick comedy, action comedy, student comedy, fake commercials and mockumentary screenplays. Please note that we have separate screenplay category for Dark Comedy Screenplays, just in case you have a really sick sense of humor. The maximum number of pages allowed for our Short Screenplay categories is 60 pages delivered in .pdf format.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $40
Submit Now
Screenplay: Comedy Feature (more than 60 pages)
This category is reserved for screenplays that are funny, engaging and make people laugh. The judges are looking for screenplays that have great character development, funny moments, comedic situations, smart dialogue, humorous personalities, and a storyline that is easy to follow. Most genres of comedy screenplays fit into this category. General comedy, musicals, sketch comedy, stand-up comedy, family comedy, slapstick comedy, action comedy, student comedy, fake commercials and mockumentary screenplays. Please note that we have separate screenplay category for Dark Comedy Screenplays, just in case you have a really sick sense of humor. 12 different judges will read every word of every screenplay submitted. All feature length screenplays must be 60 or more pages in length, delivered in .pdf format.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60
Submit Now
Screenplay: Dark Comedy Short (1-60 pages)
This category is reserved for short screenplays that are on the darker side of the comedy genre. Sometimes referred to as “Black Comedy” these films have a sick sense of humor and may not be suitable for mainstream festivals. Often times these stories end with the death of a character or have some strange gruesome scenes. Dark comedy films can make you laugh and cringe at the same time. If your audience laughs and then says “that’s messed up,” then you’ve probably written something pretty dark. This event has selected dark comedy screenplays that feature strange cruelty, or feature characters that are trying to get rid of a dead body, or they accidentally poison the wrong person, or even dream of murders, dark situations and revenge with strange dark comedic elements. The maximum number of pages allowed for our Short Screenplay categories is 60 pages delivered in .pdf format.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $40
Submit Now
Screenplay: Dark Comedy Feature (more than 60 pages)
This category is reserved for screenplays that are on the darker side of the comedy genre. Sometimes referred to as “Black Comedy” these films have a sick sense of humor and may not be suitable for mainstream festivals. Often times these stories end with the death of a character or have some strange gruesome scenes. Dark comedy films can make you laugh and cringe at the same time. If your audience laughs and then says “that’s messed up,” then you’ve probably written something pretty dark. This event has selected dark comedy screenplays that feature strange cruelty, or feature characters that are trying to get rid of a dead body, or they accidentally poison the wrong person, or even dream of murders, dark situations and revenge with strange dark comedic elements. All feature length screenplays must be 60 or more pages in length, delivered in .pdf format.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60
Submit Now
Screenplay: Dark Science Fiction Short (1-60 pages)
This category is reserved for screenplays that are exploring the future, time travel, space, disease outbreaks, experiments, aliens, or any other concept that involves technology that may not exist yet? When surveyed, our audience loves dark science fiction films like the original "Terminator" and first "Alien" film. The maximum number of pages allowed for our Short Screenplay categories is 60 pages delivered in .pdf format.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $40
Submit Now
Screenplay: Dark Science Fiction Feature (more than 60 pages)
This category is reserved for screenplays that are exploring the future, time travel, space, disease outbreaks, experiments, aliens, or any other concept that involves technology that may not exist yet? When surveyed, our audience loves dark science fiction films like the original "Terminator" and first "Alien" film. All feature length screenplays must be 60 or more pages in length, delivered in .pdf format.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60
Submit Now
Screenplay: Dark Drama Short (Less than 60 pages)
This category is reserved for a drama screenplay that is intended for a mature audience. Screenplays that could deal with a variety of darker topics like murder, death, abuse, suicide, depression, hallucinations, shootings, police investigations, gang violence, kidnapping, riots, uncomfortable risky situations, verbal abuse, war, PTSD, flashbacks, psychological breakdowns, or some other topic that fits into a serious drama category and not necessarily in the Horror Screenplay Category. The maximum number of pages allowed for the Screenplay: Dark Drama Short category is 60 pages in .pdf format.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $40
Submit Now
Screenplay: Dark Drama Feature (more than 60 pages)
This category is reserved for a drama screenplay that is intended for a mature audience. Screenplays that could deal with a variety of darker topics like murder, death, abuse, suicide, depression, hallucinations, shootings, police investigations, gang violence, kidnapping, riots, uncomfortable risky situations, verbal abuse, war, PTSD, flashbacks, psychological breakdowns, or some other topic that fits into a serious drama category and not necessarily in the Horror Screenplay Category. Feature length screenplay submissions must be 60 or more pages in length and delivered in .pdf format.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60
Submit Now
Screenplay: Dark Fantasy Short (Less than 60 pages)
Is your screenplay about magic, the supernatural, wizards, witches, curses, super powers, magical artifacts, etc? This is the place to submit your Fantasy screenplay. Dark Fantasy stories are intended for a mature audience with bloody killings, detailed sexual content, scary creatures or some other content that may not be suitable for children. Kind of like "Game of Thrones" or "Shadow and Bone." If your story isn't that dark, please consider the general "Fantasy" category.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $40
Submit Now
Screenplay: Dark Fantasy Feature (more than 60 pages)
Is your screenplay about magic, the supernatural, wizards, witches, curses, super powers, magical artifacts, etc? This is the place to submit your Fantasy screenplay. Dark Fantasy stories are intended for a mature audience with bloody killings, detailed sexual content, scary creatures or some other content that may not be suitable for children. Kind of like "Game of Thrones" or "Shadow and Bone." If your story isn't that dark, please consider the general "Fantasy" category.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60
Submit Now
Screenplay: Drama Short (1-60 pages)
This category is reserved for films with real-life stories, people and situations of a more serious nature. Screenplays that have strong acting and great writing. Films that bring out emotions in the reader are what the judges are looking for. Strong drama stories deal with everything from romance and family relationships to post traumatic stress disorder, depression and loss of life. Medical dramas, stories about overcoming adversity, period dramas, sports stories, immigration issues, poverty, coming of age stories, have all been selected by our judges in past events. Excellent character development, scenes that are easy to visualize and storylines that keep the reader engaged are viewed favorably by our judges, especially in the drama category. The maximum number of pages allowed for our Short Screenplay categories is 60 pages delivered in .pdf format.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $40
Submit Now
Screenplay: Drama Feature (more than 60 pages)
This category is reserved for films with real-life stories, people and situations of a more serious nature. Screenplays that have strong acting and great writing. Films that bring out emotions in the reader are what the judges are looking for. Strong drama stories deal with everything from romance and family relationships to post traumatic stress disorder, depression and loss of life. Medical dramas, stories about overcoming adversity, period dramas, sports stories, immigration issues, poverty, coming of age stories, have all been selected by our judges in past events. Excellent character development, scenes that are easy to visualize and storylines that keep the reader engaged are viewed favorably by our judges, especially in the drama category. All feature length screenplays must be 60 or more pages in length, delivered in .pdf format.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60
Submit Now
Screenplay: Horror Short (1-60 pages)
This category is reserved for creative and scary Horror Screenplays that have adrenaline pumping moments. Do you have a story that was intentionally created to scare people? Does your screenplay depict any horrifying action sequences, blood, gore, monsters, psychotic people, slashing, stalking, zombies, vampires, disease outbreaks, demonic possession, haunted buildings, or any other elements that would classify your screenplay as a true horror film experience? The maximum number of pages allowed for our Short Screenplay categories is 60 pages delivered in .pdf format.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $40
Submit Now
Screenplay: Horror Feature (more than 60 pages)
This category is reserved for creative and scary Horror Screenplays that have adrenaline pumping moments. Do you have a story that was intentionally created to scare people? Does your screenplay depict any horrifying action sequences, blood, gore, monsters, psychotic people, slashing, stalking, zombies, vampires, disease outbreaks, demonic possession, haunted buildings, or any other elements that would classify your screenplay as a true horror film experience? All feature length screenplays must be 60 or more pages in length, delivered in .pdf format.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60
Submit Now
Screenplay: Horror Comedy Short (1-60 pages)
This category is reserved for comedy screenplays in the horror film genre, that are full of jokes? Is it a Slasher parody, is it a reality show about vegetarian Vampires or Redneck Zombies? Is your film full of 80's era bad one-liners, evil blood oranges or face eating waffles? You know if your screenplay is a Horror Comedy screenplay, the question is, are you going to send it to us? The maximum number of pages allowed for our Short Screenplay categories is 60 pages delivered in .pdf format.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $40
Submit Now
Screenplay: Horror Comedy Feature (more than 60 pages)
This category is reserved for comedy screenplays in the horror film genre, that are full of jokes? Is it a Slasher parody, is it a reality show about vegetarian Vampires or Redneck Zombies? Is your film full of 80's era bad one-liners, evil blood oranges or face eating waffles? You know if your screenplay is a Horror Comedy screenplay, the question is, are you going to send it to us? All feature length screenplays must be 60 or more pages in length, delivered in .pdf format.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60
Submit Now
Teleplay: Dark Comedy Series Episode
This category is reserved for short teleplays that are on the darker side of the comedy genre. Sometimes referred to as “Black Comedy” these films have a sick sense of humor and may not be suitable for mainstream festivals. Often times these stories end with the death of a character or have some strange gruesome scenes. Dark comedy films can make you laugh and cringe at the same time. If your audience laughs and then says “that’s messed up,” then you’ve probably written something pretty dark. This event has selected dark comedy screenplays that feature strange cruelty, or feature characters that are trying to get rid of a dead body, or they accidentally poison the wrong person, or even dream of murders, dark situations and revenge with strange dark comedic elements. Submissions to the Dark Comedy Teleplay Episode category must be less than 60 pages in length.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $40
Submit Now
Teleplay: Horror Series Episode
This category is reserved for creative and scary Horror Teleplays that have adrenaline pumping moments. Do you have a story that was intentionally created to scare people? Does your screenplay depict any horrifying action sequences, blood, gore, monsters, psychotic people, slashing, stalking, zombies, vampires, disease outbreaks, demonic possession, haunted buildings, or any other elements that would classify your ongoing series as a true horror genre experience? Examples of ongoing Horror Series are shows like The Walking Dead, Z Nation, Stranger Things and American Horror Story. Submissions to the Teleplay: Horror Episode Category must be 60 pages or less in length. Our partner event, Oregon Scream Week Horror Film Festival, has also introduced this exact same category.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $40
Submit Now
Teleplay: Horror Comedy Series Episode
This category is reserved for comedy teleplays in the horror film genre, that are full of jokes? Is it a Slasher parody, is it a reality show about vegetarian Vampires or Breakdancing Zombies? Is your film full of 80's era bad one-liners, evil blood oranges or face eating waffles? The format should be written as a pilot or a part of an ongoing series. Submissions to the Teleplay: Horror Comedy Episode Category must be 60 pages or less in length. Our partner event, Oregon Scream Week Horror Film Festival, has also introduced this exact same category.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $40
Submit Now
Teleplay: Series Episode (Any Genre)
Are you not sure which genre or category to submit your teleplay? Have you written a story that is a part of an ongoing series? Drama, Animation, Science Fiction, and more, this category is wide open. The judges are looking for good character development and compelling stories that are written in a way, that the viewer or reader can't wait to check out the next episode in the series. The page limit is 60 pages for this category.
- First Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Early Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $40
Submit Now

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