The Dreadline Film Festival is a bold new addition to New England’s growing horror landscape, a celebration of the strange, the unsettling, and the power of independent genre storytelling. Proudly rooted in Maine, Dreadline is dedicated to uplifting New England, national, and international filmmakers working within horror, thriller, and dark genre experimentation.

Our mission is simple:
to champion creative voices who dare to push boundaries, ignite fear, spark curiosity, and redefine the future of genre cinema.

As a New England–proud festival, we offer special categories, recognition, and awards for filmmakers from the region, alongside equally meaningful opportunities for national and international creators. Whether emerging or established, all artists are invited to bring their boldest work to the Dreadline screen.

The First Annual Dreadline Film Festival will showcase dozens of short films (under 20 minutes), curated for their craft, originality, atmosphere, and impact. The festival will be held at the Portland Media Center, located in the heart of Portland’s vibrant Arts District, an energetic, creative hub that provides the perfect setting for screenings, networking, and community connection. Filmmakers and attendees will have the chance to connect with local artists, fellow creators, and global travelers who journey to Maine to attend in person.
As we continue to build and expand this festival, additional details, programming highlights, and guest information will be announced.

What remains constant is our commitment:
to create a festival experience that is substantial, meaningful, and truly beneficial to the filmmakers who share their work with us.

Welcome to the first annual Dreadline Film Festival.

We cannot wait to showcase your film and celebrate your artistry on our screen.

Awards & Prizes

The Dreadline Film Festival is proud to honor outstanding genre storytelling across horror, thriller, and dark experimental cinema. Our awards highlight excellence in craft, performance, technical achievement, and artistic innovation.

Primary Awards

Best of Dreadline Fest
The highest honor, awarded to the most outstanding short film of the festival. This award winner will receive a $1,000 grand prize along with a distribution opportunity through Gemini Entertainment!

Best Horror Short

Best Thriller Short

Best Experimental Short

Best of New England
Celebrating the strongest film created by a New England–based filmmaker or team.

Best National Short
For filmmakers based within the United States.

Best International Short
Recognizing excellence from filmmakers outside the U.S.

Best Animation Short

Best Student Short
For high school, undergraduate, and graduate filmmakers.

First-Time Filmmaker Award
This award honors an outstanding short film directed by a first-time filmmaker.
To qualify, the submitting director must be making their directorial debut, with no prior directing credits on completed films of any length (including narrative, documentary, animation, or experimental).

This category recognizes emerging voices who bring fresh perspective, bold creativity, and fearless storytelling to the horror, thriller, and dark genre landscape.

Women in Horror Award
This award honors a short film created by a woman or female-identifying director or a film in which the cinematographer (DP) is a woman or female-identifying artist.
This category highlights the essential impact women have across the horror filmmaking process, celebrating both directorial leadership and visual storytelling.

Eligibility:
Director OR cinematographer must be woman/female-identifying.
All experience levels are eligible.

Craft & Performance Awards (Included for consideration in your submission)

Best Director

Best Actor

Best Actress

Best Cinematography

Best Editing

Best Sound Design

Audience Choice Award
A fan-favorite selected by festival attendees.

Rules & Terms

Please read the following Rules & Terms carefully before submitting to the Dreadline Film Festival. By submitting your film, you acknowledge and agree to the policies outlined below.

GENERAL SUBMISSION RULES

All films must be under 20 minutes in total runtime, including credits.

We accept narrative, documentary, animated, and experimental short films within the genres of:

Horror
Thriller
Dark Genre Experiments / Psychological / Surreal / Avant-Garde

Submissions are open to New England, national, and international filmmakers.

All submissions must be made through FilmFreeway. We do not accept physical media or email submissions.

Films must have been completed on or after January 1, 2021.

There is no premiere requirement. Films may have screened elsewhere.

Multiple submissions are allowed, but each film must be submitted separately with its own entry fee.

Entry fees are non-refundable, including if a film is withdrawn or not selected.

Works-in-progress are accepted only if the final cut will be delivered by the required deadline and the screener represents the film’s quality.

ELIGIBILITY — GEOGRAPHIC CATEGORIES

To qualify for region-based awards:

Best of New England
Director or primary production team must reside in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, or Rhode Island.

Best National Short
Director must be based in the United States (outside New England).

Best International Short
Director must reside outside the United States.
Festival staff may request proof of residency if needed.

LANGUAGE & SUBTITLES

Films not in English must include English subtitles.

Films in English must include subtitles if dialogue is difficult to understand, for theatrical playback only.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

If selected, filmmakers must provide:

A high-quality digital screening file (.MP4, .MOV, H.264, H.265).

A downloadable FilmFreeway screener.

At least one high-resolution still from the film.

A short synopsis (50–120 words).

Director’s headshot & bio.

PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS (Required After Official Selection)

To properly promote selected films and filmmakers across festival platforms, all officially selected films must provide the following materials after receiving their acceptance email:

Required for All Selected Films

A movie poster in high-resolution (minimum 1080x1350) suitable for social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, X, etc.)

Permission for the festival to post the poster and film information on social media

At least two promotional stills from the film, behind the scenes videos or a mix of both.

Requested When Applicable

(Not all films will be asked to provide these; requests will be made individually.)

Behind-the-scenes photos or videos (if available)

A trailer or teaser (if the film has one)

Additional promotional clips (5–30 seconds) suited for social media

Director video message

Cast or crew video messages
These may be used to promote the film leading up to the event.

Purpose
These materials allow the festival to:
Highlight filmmakers
Promote individual films
Build excitement leading up to festival week
Support filmmakers’ visibility and audience reach
All promotional-material requests will be sent to filmmakers via email after official selection IF NEEDED.

SELECTION & NOTIFICATION

All submissions are reviewed by the programming team.
Notification dates are listed on the festival’s FilmFreeway page.
Selected films will screen in person at the Portland Media Center.
Selection does not guarantee award eligibility; categories are based on fit.
Festival decisions are final.

JUDGING & AWARDS

Films are judged on:

-Story

-Originality

-Atmosphere & tone

-Genre execution

-Cinematic and emotional impact

-Craft & technical proficiency

The festival may withhold awards in any category where submissions do not meet quality standards.
Awards are granted at the judges’ discretion.
Prize packages are TBA as partnerships develop and will be updated and finalized before the award show in August 22nd, 2026. Please check back frequently for updates on this. An email may go out to all official selections to update on prizes and awards,

SCREENING RIGHTS & PROMOTIONAL USE

By submitting your film, you grant the Dreadline Film Festival:

Non-exclusive rights to exhibit your film at the festival.

Permission to use approved promotional materials, posters, stills, and loglines on festival platforms.

Permission to use up to 30 seconds of footage for promotional purposes, unless otherwise agreed.

Permission to share your trailer (if provided) on festival pages, social media, and marketing.

All rights remain owned by the filmmaker.

ATTENDANCE

Attendance is not required for selection or awards.
However:

Filmmakers who win an award but do not attend the festival in person may request their award to be shipped.

The filmmaker is responsible for all shipping and handling costs, including international customs fees if applicable.

Shipping must be arranged after the festival concludes and payment must be received before the award is mailed.

Filmmakers attending in person will receive access details closer to the event.
Networking and local arts district events are encouraged but optional.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

By submitting, you confirm:

You have rights or written permission for all copyrighted material in the film.

Your submission does not infringe on any rights or agreements.

You accept that submission does not guarantee selection.

You agree to hold harmless the festival, its staff, partners, and venue from any claims connected to your film.

FINAL NOTE

Dreadline Film Festival is committed to showcasing bold storytelling, innovative genre work, and emerging talent across horror and dark cinema. We appreciate every submitted film and look forward to celebrating your creativity.