NAMED ONE OF THE BEST GENRE FEST IN THE WORLD BY MOVIEMAKER MAGAZINE & DREAD CENTRAL!

Our 2024 event will once again be both a hybrid and in-theater theater experience along with a virtual online festival.

In-Person Festival: APRIL 4 - 10, 2024 (Screenland Armour)
Virtual Festival: APRIL 5 - 10, 2024 (Eventive / Gather)

Join us as we bring the Panic! to Kansas City. Held in the historic Screenland Armour theater our film festival features horror, thriller, and sci-fi films.

Some of the films we debuted in previous festivals include Elijah Wood’s Maniac remake, What We Do in the Shadows (North American Debut), Vicious Fun (U.S. Premiere) Dark Was the Night and many more.

In addition to our feature film lineup we also host a short film showcases that attendees vote for the best of fest. Our festival features live podcast shows (Last Podcast on the Left, Movie Crypt, Generation Why and Cult Podcast.) and Q&A sessions after select films.

Take a break from the action and check out Rewind Video and Dive located in the basement of the theatre.

All of this brought to you by Screenland Theaters in collaboration with DownrightCreepy.com

***We DO NOT offer submission waivers***
***Not All Films Screen In Person. A selection will be in our expanded virtual fest. ***

Awards & Prizes

AWARDS:*
Best Director - Feature Film
Best Feature Film
Best Independent Feature Film
Best Special FX or Creature - Feature Film
Audience Choice - Feature Film
Best Actress - Feature Film
Best Actor - Feature Film

Short Film Showcase - Best of Show
Best Director - Short Film
Best Actor - Short Film
Best Actress - Short Film
Best Special FX or Creature - Short FIlm

*Voted By Festival Attendees

***We DO NOT offer submission waivers***

Rules & Terms

Short films must be from 2023-2024 without regular release date. Films do not need to be in finished state to submit, please mark these as WIP (Work in Progress) Submission.

Only one short may be submitted per filmmaker.

Non-English language films must have subtitles burned.

By submitting your film you agree to supply a screener for approved members of the press.

Short Film Running Time: 16 minutes (max)
Longform Short Film Running Time: 30 minutes (max)
Feature Film Running Time: 125 minutes (max)

Submission does not guarantee entry into festival. Filmmakers will be notified no later than March 10th, 2024 if their film has be accepted into the festival. Not all selections screen in person.

***We DO NOT offer submission waivers***
70 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Nathan Tape

    Awesome Festival at an awesome theater! OFF RAMP was well loved and well received. They even bought a bunch of Faygo to hand out to the audience! That kind of personal touch is what makes this festival so special. Adam and Tim rule! Highly recommended.

    April 2024
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  • Lisa Ovies

    Truly a fantastic festival in all regards. I would 100% suggest trying to attend if you are able to. The people who run it are amazing and the entire experience is so much fun. Definitely worth submitting to.

    April 2024
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  • Zeshaan Younus

    An incredible festival with a caring team behind-the-scenes putting it together. Amazing films + an engaged audience. It was a privilege to attend in-person and experience a sold-out screening with fellow genre enthusiasts.

    April 2024
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  • Kelly Lou Dennis

    We were thrilled to be included in Panic Fest this year! The quality of films was impressive, communication was warm, professional and organized, and though I couldn't attend in person I loved attending virtually! I definitely recommend submitting.

    April 2024
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  • Stu Silverman

    Panic Fest was a blast! Killer lineup of quality indies, classics, special guests, and well-curated shorts. Great extra-curricular filmmaker events too! Loved the vibe of the fest and Screenland Armour Theatre is a unique venue with a beautiful screen. I met sooo many lovely people; everyone from the Panic team to the filmmakers to the audiences were so friendly and welcoming. Major props to Adam and Tim for putting the whole thing together and being great hosts! It's clearly a labor of love and it shows. Highly recommended!

    April 2024
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