Shriekfest is a BI-COASTAL international horror and scifi film festival and screenwriting contest celebrating the work of independent artists in the horror, horror comedy, thriller, sci-fi, and fantasy film genres. Los Angeles’ longest-running horror festival, Shriekfest is now celebrating its 22nd year and its 4th year in Orlando! Superior screening facilities, parties, and panels make this a wonderful networking experience for all. Awards will be given in most categories and prizes may include cash, product awards, and our new coveted trophies, etc. More information about Shriekfest can be found on www.shriekfest.com, www.twitter.com/shriekfest, and www.facebook.com/shriekfest.

Shriekfest Declared "LA's Most Successful & Entertaining Horror Film Festival" by LA WEEKLY
2021 Dread Central voted us as one of the Best Horror Festivals in the World!
2021 MovieMaker Magazine top 50 best genres festivals!
2017 Denise Gossett was voted Most Influential Horror Film Festival Director
2011 Movie Maker Magazine top 13 film festivals to die for!
2010 Movie Maker Magazine top 25 film festivals worth the entry fee!
Founder Denise Gossett voted number 5 out of 13 Most Influential Women In Horror History
Denise Gossett voted #1 in 2016's Most Influential Women In Genre!
www.shriekfest.com
www.imdb.me/denisegossett
www.facebook.com/shriekfest

Some Shriekfest alumni include:

Mike Flanagan (writer, director, editor on DOCTOR SLEEP, THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE, OUIJA: ORIGIN OF EVIL, BEFORE I WAKE, GERALD'S GAME, OCULUS, ABSENTIA
Jennifer Kent (writer/director of THE BABADOOK, THE NIGHTINGALE)
Gregg Bishop (writer/director of SIREN, THE OTHER SIDE, DANCE OF THE DEAD)
Kevin Greutert (editor on the SAW franchise, THE STRANGERS and JESSABELLE)
Kenneth J. Hall (writer of THE PUPPETMASTER)
Olatunde Osunsanmi (director of THE FOURTH KIND and numerous episodes of genre television including BATES MOTEL, EXTANT, UNDER THE DOME, SLEEPY HOLLOW, GOTHAM and more)
Tammi Sutton (director of ISLE OF DOGS, KILLJOY 2, KATIE and WHISPERS)
Darin Scott (TALES FROM THE HOOD, DARKHOUSE, SOMETHING WICKED and the FEMME FATALES TV show)
Hiroshi Katagiri (special effects maestro on X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE, THE HUNGER GAMES, GREEN LANTERN, LOOPER and many more)

Winners in most categories will receive a one-of-a-kind Shriekfest Bloody Reel trophy. Each trophy is hand-painted ensuring that no two are exactly alike. Winners in all categories will be awarded and announced live at the awards show!

ALL Finalists and Official Selections will receive 2 full festival passes to the Los Angeles event and the Orlando event! These passes include all parties, screenings, and panels.

Best Feature Film in several different categories
Best Short Film in several different categories
Best Super Short Film
Best Music Video
Best Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Feature screenplay in several different categories
Best Pilot Screenplay
Best Short Screenplay

Shriekfest does NOT offer FEE WAIVERS.

By submitting to Shriekfest, you are stating that the work is original and owned by the submitter, and is not the subject of any disputes regarding ownership.

You understand that your entry is valid only upon completion of the following conditions: (1) receipt of a copy of the work, (2) the processing of the entry fee by the festival organization, and (3) when the work is found to be original and owned by you or those you represent.

While we understand that you retain all rights to ownership of the work, if selected, you hereby give Shriekfest permission to feature, advertise, display, in whole or in part, the work for festival purposes, including promotion.

Each work is judged by our judging team.

RULES:
1. Please select only ONE SUBMISSION CATEGORY per project.
2. All films MUST BE submitted via ONLINE screeners
3. NO Premiere Status required.
4. Films can have a distribution deal, but should not be available Online
5. Foreign films (in their original language) must be presented with English language subtitles.
6. Shriekfest does not pay screening fees.

Eligible Feature screenplays should be formatted to industry standards and be between 70-120 pages. If a screenplay has been a Finalist in Shriekfest, it does not qualify for a resubmission.
- Eligible Short screenplays should be formatted to industry standards and must not exceed 45 pages in length.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Janet Loftis

    Shriekfest is a wonderful festival for submissions, and to attend. The atmosphere is welcoming and inclusive. I especially love the blocks of short films. And Denise Gossett is terrific. It's so sweet that, after 21 years, she still tears up at the award ceremony while thanking everyone for their hard work. I've met many other screenwriters there and it's very inspiring to keep going, and hopefully, I'll get past the finalist level.

    October 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Janet! It was so great seeing you and having you involved! And thank you for these sweet words! I have faith you will get past that level! ~Denise Gossett

  • Ryan Larkin

    Shriekfest is a great film festival, with high-quality programming and an abundance of networking opportunities. I was very happy to see the festival come back so strongly this year - many thanks to Denise and her team for their hard work!

    October 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Ryan! Thank you so very much for these sweet words! So thrilled to have you there! XOXO ~Denise Gossett

  • Dan Ast

    Great experience with a wonderful community who truly love horror and creating. Honored to have been involved.

    October 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Dan, I'm so glad you had fun! Thanks so much for the sweet words. ~Denise Gossett

  • Jennifer Quintenz

    This is one of the most welcoming festivals I've been to. The people are warm and enthusiastic, Denise is amazing, and the selected films are really top-notch. Excellent genre festival!!!

    October 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Jennifer! Thank you so much! It was an honor having you there. I look forward to seeing you again soon. XOXO ~Denise Gossett

  • John Licata

    Shriekfest is such a fantastic festival! Denise and her team do an amazing job, and they truly make you feel special to be a part of the event. They also make an extraordinary effort to continually champion previous Shriekfest writers and filmmakers. Highly recommend!

    October 2021
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    Response from festival:

    John!!! Thank you so much for these sweet words! You just made my week. So honored to have you involved. ~Denise Gossett