--- PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO THIS FESTIVAL. THIS IS A FILMMAKING COMPETITION. EXISTING FILMS MUST CHOOSE THE CATEGORY ENTRY "BEST HORROR SHORT - GRAVEYARD FILM." ---
---RULES FOR MAKING A FILM---
- All you will need to enter is a blank project submission and title it "HFR 2025." Then when it is time to turn in your actual film on October 11th, simply add a downloadable link to your project file and re-name it to the name of your film. For questions please feel free to reach out to us on FilmFreeway or email us at info@horrorfilmroulette.com.
- The event starts on September 5, 2025. Filmmakers will receive a horror subgenre either in-person (if you choose to attend the event) or online. You will then have 4 weeks to create a 5 minute film and must submit it no later than October 3rd, 2025 at 11:59PM PST.
-Anyone across the world can enter the film competition!
-Each video entry must have a team captain. The captains are responsible for corresponding with HFR administrators. They are also the recipient of prizes, and are in charge of allocating prizes to other team members. Team captains must be at least 18 years old. Captains must also fill out a Submission Form, which will be e-mailed to you on the date of the kickoff (September 5th, 2025).
-Participants may contribute to multiple teams/projects, but are only allowed to be the captain of one (1) team.
-All actors must fill out and turn in a Talent Release Form, which can be downloaded from our website: horrorfilmroulette.com. Films that are turned in without all the necessary Talent Release Forms will be disqualified.
-Competition Films must be no longer than 5-minutes in length, including the credits.
Credits are not required on the film but must be submitted with the film in writing. Graveyard films may be up to 15 minutes long.
-Genres are chosen by spinning the Wheel of Horror during the Kickoff Event. Each team will state their genre from last year (if applicable), and then take a turn to spin the wheel. The wheel must make a complete turn to count as a spin. Each team will have only one (1) spin. If the wheel lands on the team’s genre of the previous year, that team will have the option to forfeit that genre and have a second spin.
-If you cannot attend the Kickoff Event, participants may enter the competition by sending an email to receive a genre. Participants must state their previous year’s genre, if applicable. Emailed genres are non-negotiable and will be given within 24-hours of the Kickoff Event.
-If possible, please submit films that are 4096 x 1716 and 24fps. This is NOT required, but it is HIGHLY encouraged if you wish for your film to fill the entirety of the screen.
-No person, animal, place, or thing is to be harmed during the making of your horror films. Do not break any laws to create your film. Nudity in films is prohibited, but may be censored. Pornography, scenes of lewd sexual acts, and scenes of sexual assault are prohibited.
- Artificial intelligence may not be used in any part of the production or post-production process for your film. Limited exceptions may be considered depending on the specific context. Please email us with any questions or to request clarification.
- If your film is based on a book, play, or other existing work, please be sure you have permission from the rights holder (or that the work is in the public domain). We may ask for proof if selected. Films without proper clearance may be disqualified.
-Films must be submitted by 11:59PM PST on October 3rd to be a part of the competition by submitting your film here through FilmFreeway.
--- RULES FOR TURNING IN GRAVEYARD FILMS ---
- Films must not have entered into Horror Film Roulette in a previous year.
- Films only under 15 minutes in length will be accepted.
- Only one winner will be showcased at Horror Film Roulette 2025.
- The filmmaker must obtain all proper rights and must submit a copy of the cast and crew credits.
-If possible, please submit films that are 4096 x 1716 and 24fps. This is NOT required, but it is HIGHLY encouraged if you wish for your film to fill the entirety of the screen.
- Films will not be accepted after the regular deadline on FilmFreeway.
** Horror Film Roulette Administrators reserve the right to refuse entries that are deemed inappropriate, are non-complacent with the official rules, have potential to harm the HFR brand, or that don’t reflect the spirit of the competition.**
