If you have a short horror film, please enter it to our sister competition:
https://filmfreeway.com/spotlightfilmawards

The Spotlight Horror Film Awards is dedicated to promoting experienced and new filmmakers of the horror genre. We are searching the globe for the best independent horror, sci-fi, thriller, mystery, horror-comedy, dark drama, experimental, animation, gore, and more.

The Spotlight Horror Film Awards values each film based upon it's artistic merit alone. We publicize our award-winning films through social media platforms, various websites, press releases, and email campaigns to industry leaders, film festival organizers, and more. Our award-winning filmmakers get the recognition they deserve, and can have a better success rate on the sometimes arduous journey through the festival circuit.

Our organization is composed of industry professionals: filmmakers, independent film consultants, film festival organizers, festival programmers and judges who have been in the business nearly 20 years, and share a passion for independent film. Our team has evaluated and judged more than 25,000 independent films from directors and producers just like you. Many of the films were spectacular, and some needed a little tweaking, but they were all magically created with the unwavering spirit of the true independent filmmaker.

The Spotlight Horror Film Awards is a must for filmmakers of the horror genre who are searching for someone who can give their films the undivided attention they deserve. We can now shine the spotlight on an unlimited amount of talented filmmakers from around the world, and celebrate the art and beauty of filmmaking.

Awards are announced every year in June and December with the top rated films screening at the Spotlight Film Awards in January.

Filmmakers with short and feature films of all genres are encouraged to enter the Spotlight Horror Film Awards.

Enter here
https://filmfreeway.com/spotlightfilmawards

Platinum Awards: ​
celebrate truly remarkable films with the highest scores from our panel. Platinum award-winning films will screen at the Spotlight Film Awards in January.

Gold Awards:
celebrate incredible films with the second highest scores from our panel. The top rated Gold Award Winning Films will be considered to screen at the Spotlight Film Awards in January.

Silver Awards:
awarded to unforgettable films with the third highest scores from our panel.

Bronze Awards:
awarded to films with high artistic achievement with the fourth highest scores from our panel.

No Award: Films not receiving an award will be given important and honest feedback from our organization upon request. We know the amount of hard-work it takes to make independent films. This feedback could be essential in getting your film out there for the world to see.

All Award-Winning Films Receive:

Hi-resolution digital downloads of Spotlight Horror Film Awards winning laurels.

A personalized Certificate of Excellence in Filmmaking announcing your award.

Emails, social media posts, and press-releases to our extensive database of industry professionals with announcements of your award.

Links from our website, and our sister websites, to your film website, film trailer, and / or sales of your film online.

Filmmaker Spotlight Profile on website with director photo, bio, and links to chosen websites.

The top rated films will be screened at the Spotlight Film Awards in January.

RUNNING TIME
Shorts must be 45 min. and under. Features are over 46 minutes.

AWARD ANNOUNCEMENTS
Awards are announced every year in June and December with the top rated films screening in January.

LANGUAGE
Entries in any language other than English or Spanish should be subtitled in either language.

FORMATS​
Entries can only be submitted via FilmFreeway with a secure link of an online copy through vimeo or other host. No hard-copies of films will be considered. Email us with questions.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • John Powers

    Our production team has been selected for Spotlight Horror Film Awards for the second time. It is always a "shot in the arm" for independent filmmakers to be included in this event.

    January 2020
  • Jose Luis Anaya

    I’m totally grateful with the Spotlight Horror Film Awards for recognizing my film “Damián” as a Platinum Award Winner (as well as with last year’s Spotlight Short Film Awards same recognition!). So grateful with Eric Panter and the whole staff of this wonderful festival with a variety of amazing films and horror films. Being my first film given a spotlight that way and included in the Atlanta Film Series is a dream come true! So happy to be part of Atlanta’s film community! Keep up the good work and this is a great place to submit my upcoming works!

    June 2019
  • Jerzy Bojanowski

    Great ! I recommend to all Horror genre filmmakers !

    February 2019
  • Guy Lockwood

    Thank you very much for awarding my first feature film, Unveiling The Horse Demon.

    The organizers are very accommodating and professional, and I am very grateful that they recognized my film.

    January 2019
  • Josh Kaukl

    I love how this festival is so accessible to film makers on a budget, and the festival delivers more than statues or plaques but show cases the film maker's work, getting much needed project exposure.

    August 2018