The Dead of Night Film Festival is part of the ever growing International horror film festival circuit and is Merseyside’s only film festival dedicated to horror, fantasy, science fiction and thriller movies.

The objective of our festival is to elevate independent filmmaking voices’ by bringing new independent horror short and feature length films to the genre loving public of Merseyside.

We understand how hard it can be for Independent filmmakers to get theatrical releases for their movies and we want to help find them the audience they deserve.

Film festivals are such an important part of independent horror cinema and are the best way to get their movies seen around the globe.

This year we will screen 6 feature films and 20 short films in a cinema auditorium with 75 comfortable seats and an Optoma 8000-lumens projector, plus 5.1 Surround Sound to present an immersive cinematic experience.

Featured in DREAD Central’s The Best Horror Festivals 2022 list.

We hope you can join us for some horrific movie fun this October.

Awards & Prizes

Best Feature

Best Short 

Best SFX
Best Score
Best Poster

Rules & Terms

Rules & Terms
DETAILS and ELIGIBILITY 
Dead of Night is open to short and feature films that come under the genre umbrella, whether that be dark thrillers, fantasy, exploitation, comedy etc. But there must be horror/dark themes.

Please let us know if the screening will be a UK and or World Premiere.

Short Films - Under 50 Minutes 

Feature Films - Over 50 Minutes

Film format must be either Download link, Blu-Ray or DVD

The main contact submitting must be authorised to do so, and must have permission from any sales agents or distributors involved. When completing the submission process you agree to have the necessary rights for screening the film at The Dead of Night Film Festival.

SUBMISSIONS 
Submissions can ONLY be made through the FilmFreeway website. There is no other way.

FEES 
Submissions are subject to fees and these are non-refundable and final.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE 
Foreign language films are welcomed, we must insist that non English dialogue movies must be subtitled in English. We prefer not to have them dubbed.

MULTIPLE ENTRIES 
You may submit as many films and shorts as you want.

NOTIFICATION 
All applicants will receive an email shortly after the closing date whether they have been successful or not.

SELECTION PROCEDURE 
Each film submitted will be viewed by at least two members of The Dead of Night Film Festival selection committee. All decisions on are final .

SELECTION 
If selected the screening copy of the film must be with us by no later than 1st October and once selected you guarantee that the film cannot be withdrawn from the festival .

PUBLICITY AND PRESS 
By submitting to Dead of Night you agree to the use of stills in press and publicity for the festival. These may be included in our official programme, press releases, on our website plus all social media platforms.

79 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Joe Savage

    We loved screening our film 'Itch' at The Dead of Night 2025, the team are friendly, communicative and big advocates for your film. The screening went really well and the atmosphere at the festival is great!

    October 2025
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  • Brian Rosenthal

    If you're going to premiere your film in the UK, The Dead of Night is the place to do it! Can't thank Stu and crew enough for including POV in the 2025 festival, total honor.

    October 2025
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  • Elijah Ziegler

    Really grateful to The Dead of Night folks for including our film, Love Will Tear Us Apart, at this year’s fest. There is great communication on the back end and a lot of love given toward the filmmakers. In particular, their hand crafted prizes based upon various films are such a treat. It’s clear the team is quite passionate about what they do and I will definitely be submitting in the future! <3 xoxo

    October 2025
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  • Derek Bensonhaver

    Unfortunately we werent able to be there in person to support our screening film, but the email communication and details was excellent and we know the whole selection of films was top notch. Cant wait to submit another in the future and hopefully make it in person!

    October 2025
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  • Nate Dalton

    Such a fun and eclectic festival. The curators were excited and enthusiastic, and went above and beyond to promote the slate of movies playing. Our film was honored to be on official selection, and fingers crossed our next movie will be too. I couldn't recommend highly enough.

    October 2025
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