"One of the country's best film festivals." — Fangoria

"Bloody hell! We love the Overlook Film Festival! There's nowhere else in the world that could make our strange band of vampires feel so welcome. We send our undying respect to everyone from the organizers to the fans who make this festival the coolest place on this or any planet." — Jim Jarmusch, filmmaker

"One of the 25 Bloody Best Genre Festivals in the World." — MovieMaker Magazine

"The best time I’ve ever had at a film festival. Full stop." — Bloody Disgusting

"Literally the best fest experience I had ever been a part of." — Collider

"One of our absolute favorite festivals" — Screen Anarchy

The Overlook Film Festival is a four day celebration of horror held in America's most haunted city, New Orleans.

Presenting superior film programming with an expanded focus on experiential events, the festival showcases exciting new work in new and classic independent horror cinema alongside the latest in interactive and live shows for a fully immersive weekend. As a summer camp for genre fans, The Overlook is a community event bringing the best of horror in all its forms to an enthusiastic and appreciative audience within an intimate and inspirational environment.

Past honorees include Ernest Dickerson, Roger Corman, Mike Flanagan, Jason Blum, and Leigh Whannell, and guests include Nicolas Cage, Jim Jarmusch, Joe Dante, John Goodman, Robert Rodriguez, Eli Roth, Taika Waititi, Ari Aster, Ana Lily Amirpour, Paul Williams, John Cameron Mitchell, Paul Scheer, Roxanne Benjamin, Darren Lyn Bousman, and more.

Past screenings include closing night presentations of EVIL DEAD RISE, HEREDITARY, THE BLACK PHONE, and the world premieres of RENFIELD (with Nicolas Cage in person), ABIGAIL, and ABRAHAM’S BOYS. Advisors of the festival include Elijah Wood (LORD OF THE RINGS, SpectreVision), Joe Dante (GREMLINS, THE HOWLING), Leigh Whannell (SAW, INSIDIOUS), Karyn Kusama (THE INVITATION, GIRLFIGHT), and industry luminaries from organizations such as LucasFilm, Sundance, and Blumhouse.

More Testimonials from Previous Filmmakers:

“I had an absolute blast at the Overlook Film Festival. The audience, the festival staff, and the fantastic New Orleans locations are just brimming with spirit, and I loved being so swept away. I just can’t wait to find my way back for more.” — Mike Flanagan (OCULUS, THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE)

“Being back at Overlook to feel the incredible, one-of-a-kind energy of the genre fans was an unforgettable experience. Helping present CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON (in 3D no less!!!) was the spooky cherry on top of one of the best film fests around.” — David Dastmalchian (LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL)

“The Overlook Film Festival is like Woodstock for Horror fans: a merry long weekend of can’t-miss scary films, lively panels and conversations, and terrific people. I can’t remember the last time I came away from an event so excited about horror’s possibilities or so happy to be among the fright faithful.” — Joe Hill (THE BLACK PHONE, ABRAHAM’S BOYS)

“Overlook Film Festival was next level. Great films and great community. Definitely one of my favorite film festivals.” — Flying Lotus (ASH)

“I love the Overlook Film Festival! Its celebration of all things horror and cinefantastique just fills the air with a warm fearful excitement.” - Ernest Dickerson (TALES FROM THE CRYPT: DEMON KNIGHT)

“The people, the venues, the city: every part of Overlook was spectacular. The event is a true celebration of not only horror cinema, but the genre as a culture unto itself.” –Adam Cesare (CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD)

"There isn't really another festival like the Overlook Film Festival. It's such a beautifully curated good time, for filmmakers and fans and everyone in between. I get why people travel from across America to attend this festival." — David Farrier (MISTER ORGAN, TICKLED)

"Overlook was a perfect festival experience. There was such thoughtful programming and so much audience engagement, and the quality of the venue was superb. It definitely lived up to the spirit of its host city, the most haunted and celebratory place on earth." — Laura Moss (BIRTH/REBIRTH)

“You have my deepest gratitude and admiration for putting together such a totally unique festival and experience." — Lana Wilson (LOOK INTO MY EYES)

“The movie love is palpable, and the staff is great. My double bill of MATINEE and The TINGLER was a joy — it was like seeing them both for the first time.” — Joe Dante (GREMLINS)

Awards & Prizes

Feature Film Audience Award
Short Film Audience Award
Jury Prize for Best Feature Film
Jury Prize for Scariest Feature Film
Jury Prize for Best Short Film
Jury Prize for Scariest Short Film

Rules & Terms

All films must have been completed after January 2025.

Feature films must not have screened on U.S. television, in commercial release, or on the internet/streaming prior to the dates of the festival

All films not in English must be subtitled in English for presentation.

Any physical entry materials will not be returned.

The Overlook Film Festival is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt or stills from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival and in perpetuity thereafter for promotional purposes.

The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations.

The submitter shall indemnify and hold harmless The Overlook Film Festival and The Brooklyn Film Center Inc from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.

Only secure online screeners will be accepted as a submission format. Please do not send DVDs.
25 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Christopher Kosakowski

    Overlook was a phenomenal experience. Everyone involved, from the festival team to the attendees, was enthusiastic, kind, and dedicated to the horror genre. It's truly a festival you don't want to miss!

    May 2026
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  • Christianne Hedtke

    I was a short filmmaker at the Overlook Film Festival and it was a tremendous experience!I premiered my short film here, and the festival made sure it looked and sounded its best, they organized countless opportunities to mix and mingle with filmmakers and moviegoers, I saw some great films, made friends, and got industry exposure in the form of meetings with legit industry development executives and financiers, and even got press exposure for my short! The program was really strong, and the festival did a great job of communicating what was happening every day. It was fun to me in New Orleans, to eat the delicious food, take in the spooky vibes, and hear live music on the regular. If you're a horror fan or filmmaker this is a completely awesome festival!

    May 2026
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  • cassie kramer

    I was so impressed by the people and films in this festival. Our team had a blast, and the other filmmakers were so kind. The highlight for me was Katie Rife. She was just so funny and kind and made us all feel like family. A lot of times shorts are treated as an afterthought at festivals, but she made us feel very appreciated. Also the festival was really great about communicating events and afterparties and times we needed to be places. 10/10

    April 2026
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  • Ian Morland

    Festival was amazing! The festival team was spectacular! Movies were weird and experimental while simultaneously classic and terrifying. A real party. Would go back over and over!

    April 2026
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  • Luke Zwanziger

    Overlook was a goal of mine when I made my film and am so honored to have screened screened VINES, an eco body horror. This was best run fest I've been to and I've been to a lot of festivals. The caliber of films here is off the hook. This year I screened along side Kurosawa, Cronenburg, Flying Lotus, Eli Craig, Joe Hill and more. This is a place where up and coming talent is seen. I met more producers here than at any other fest I've been to thus far. Panels. Film Selected. Social Events.

    The communication and ease of the festival experience was top tier. This is a fest I would go to whether or not I had a film here because it is just that awesome.

    The audience and filmmakers are all so generous, open and welcoming. Someone else mentioned that by end of the weekend, they felt like old friends. Can't wait to return to Camp Overlook.

    April 2025
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