EMBRACE YOUR DARKNESS is an inclusive online short film festival (from Portugal) dedicated to amplifying diverse voices and unique perspectives within the horror genre. Whether you create slashers, psychological horror, gore, supernatural, or comedy horror, this is your safe space to share your spine-chilling, boundary-pushing stories—up to 15 minutes long!

I created this platform to celebrate filmmakers who feel overlooked or underrepresented in the horror and film festival world—whether it’s because your films aren’t being showcased anywhere, or you don’t feel the support you need to keep creating. Trust me, I know how tough it can be out there.

As a gay filmmaker, I’m especially passionate about ensuring the queer community feels seen and heard. Films that explore queer themes, LGBTQIA+ identities, and queer horror are not only welcome but encouraged. This is your space to tell those stories.

No matter your race, background, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability, you are unique, you are BEAUTIFUL, and all of you are welcome!

This is the first edition of the festival, and while I may not be able to showcase every single submission due to the volume of entries, I can give feedback from your films. If you’d like feedback/review, you can choose it when you're applying your film!

Let’s make this an event where every voice in horror, from all walks of life, has the chance to shine!

-David

Awards & Prizes

Laurel and a review without fees:

Top 3 Best Short Horror films
Top 3 Best Queer Horror
Top 3 Best Slasher
Top 3 Best Body Horror
Top 3 Best Comedy-Horror
Top 3 Best Supernatural
Top 3 Best Shorts from 1st Time Filmmakers
Top 3 Best Shorts from Queer Filmmakers
Too 3 Best Shorts from Female Filmmakers
Top 3 Best Portuguese Short
Top 3 Best European Short
Top 3 Best International Short

Rules & Terms

1. Eligibility
• Open to all filmmakers, regardless of experience or background. The festival is especially welcoming to creators from underrepresented communities, including but not limited to LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, disabled, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming individuals.
• Films of all horror subgenres are accepted, including slashers, psychological horror, gore, supernatural, and comedy horror.
• No geographic restrictions—filmmakers from anywhere in the world are encouraged to submit, but European films will be a priority.

2. Submission Requirements
• Films must be up to 15 minutes long.
• Submissions must be original works by the filmmaker(s).
• All films need to be Horror related.
• All films exploring themes of queer identity, LGBTQIA+ issues, and queer horror are welcome and encouraged. This is a safe space for queer creators to tell their stories.
• The festival does not discriminate based on race, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, or any other background or identity.

3. Selection and Showcase
• This is the first edition of the festival, and due to the volume of submissions, not all films may be selected for the final showcase.
• Every film submitted can be reviewed by the festival organizers. You just need to add that option when you choose how to submit your film.
• The online event will take place both on Instagram and on YouTube. Clips and/or trailers of the selected films will be shown and then there will be the final reveal of the Top 3 of each category.

4. Inclusivity and Representation
• The festival is specifically designed to support filmmakers who feel overlooked or underrepresented within the horror or broader film community.
• The festival aims to create an environment where diverse voices are amplified, and where every filmmaker—regardless of their background or identity—feels valued and welcome.
• Discrimination or harmful stereotypes against any community or identity will not be tolerated.

5. Content Restrictions
• Submissions should fall within the horror genre but can explore any subgenre (e.g., slasher, psychological horror, gore, supernatural, comedy horror).
• Filmmakers are encouraged to push boundaries and challenge conventions within horror.

6. Submission Process
• All submissions must be made digitally, through the festival’s designated submission platform.
• Submissions will be reviewed as they are received, and filmmakers will be notified about their status after the selection process is complete.

7. Festival Ownership and Rights
• By submitting your film, you confirm that you hold the necessary rights to the work and that you have the legal authority to submit the film.
• Submitting a film does not give the festival ownership of the work. However, by submitting, you grant the festival the right to use excerpts (with proper credit) for promotional purposes.

9. Timeline and Notification
• Submissions open on January 28th.
• Submission deadline: June 5th.
• Filmmakers will be notified of the festival’s final selection by June 28th.
• The online screening event will take place on July 5th.