Fear Screen: Celebrating the Darker Side of Cinema
Fear Screen is a brand-new film festival based in the North East of England, dedicated to championing the very best in independent horror, thriller, and dark genre cinema. Our mission is to provide a vital platform for bold voices, fresh perspectives, and spine-tingling stories that push the boundaries of fear on screen whilst celebrating the artistry and innovation that defines the horror community.

The Festival Experience
Taking place in November 2026, Fear Screen will bring together filmmakers, industry professionals, and devoted fans of the genre for an immersive celebration of horror in all its forms. We are committed to showcasing the full spectrum of dark cinema: from slow-burning atmospheric psychological chillers that linger in the mind long after the credits roll, to visceral blood-soaked slashers that test audiences' nerve. We embrace haunting supernatural tales steeped in folklore and dread, alongside boundary-pushing experimental works that redefine what horror can be. Every submission that explores the art of fear with creativity, originality, and uncompromising vision will find a home at Fear Screen.

Our programming philosophy centres on quality, diversity, and innovation. We seek films that demonstrate exceptional craft, compelling storytelling, and a genuine understanding of what makes horror such a powerful and enduring genre. Whether you are working with micro-budgets or more substantial resources, whether you are an emerging talent making your festival debut or an established filmmaker with a passion for the macabre, Fear Screen is committed to showcasing work that deserves to be seen by audiences who truly appreciate the darker side of cinema.

Alongside carefully curated screenings, our programme will feature in-depth filmmaker Q&As that offer insight into the creative process, thought-provoking panel discussions with industry experts exploring the evolution and future of horror cinema, and invaluable networking opportunities designed to support emerging talent and foster genuine collaboration within the horror community. We are passionate about creating an inclusive, welcoming environment where filmmakers and audiences alike can share their enthusiasm for genre cinema, exchange ideas, and forge lasting connections that extend beyond the festival itself.

Fear Screen represents more than simply a screening venue. We are building a community hub for horror practitioners and enthusiasts, a space where creative exchange flourishes and professional relationships are cultivated. Our commitment extends to supporting filmmakers at every stage of their career, providing mentorship opportunities, and creating pathways for continued development within the genre.

Selected films will be screened to an engaged audience of horror enthusiasts, critics, and industry guests in a professional theatrical setting that does justice to your work. With awards recognising outstanding achievements across multiple categories, Fear Screen is more than just a festival. It is a showcase for the future of horror, a place where filmmakers can gain meaningful recognition, build valuable connections with industry professionals and fellow creators, and have their work experienced by those who genuinely appreciate the craft, dedication, and artistry of dark storytelling.

We understand that independent filmmaking requires immense dedication, often against considerable odds. Fear Screen exists to honour that commitment and to ensure that exceptional work finds its audience. Our festival provides a launching pad for films seeking distribution, critical attention, and industry recognition, whilst maintaining an authentic connection to the grassroots independent spirit that drives the genre forward.

Join the Movement
Join us as we shine a spotlight on new nightmares, celebrate the transformative power of fear, and honour the filmmakers who dare to scare. Whether you are crafting tales of cosmic dread, intimate domestic terror, folk horror rooted in ancient traditions, body horror that confronts physical boundaries, or something altogether more unsettling, Fear Screen is your stage. We invite you to become part of a festival that champions innovation, supports independent voices, and recognises that horror cinema, at its finest, is an art form capable of profound cultural commentary and emotional resonance.
Fear Screen is where the future of horror takes shape.
We look forward to welcoming you to our inaugural edition.

Awards & Prizes

Fear Screen is devoted to celebrating innovation, creativity, and excellence within the horror genre. We honour the artistry, imagination, and technical skill that define outstanding horror filmmaking, recognising contributions from visionary first-time directors through to acclaimed industry professionals. Our commitment extends to championing the distinctive voices emerging from the North East of England whilst celebrating exceptional talent from across the wider international landscape.

Each official selection undergoes rigorous evaluation by our distinguished panel of respected industry practitioners. Our reviewers bring considerable breadth of experience across multiple disciplines, including film production, critical analysis, and festival curation, ensuring that every submission receives informed and thoughtful consideration. This comprehensive assessment process guarantees that the films advancing to our awards programme represent the very best in contemporary horror cinema.
Winners are announced during the festival itself, where exceptional achievements in horror filmmaking are formally recognised through the presentation of official Fear Screen trophies and laurels. These prestigious awards acknowledge not only technical excellence but also the creative vision and storytelling prowess that elevate the genre. Selected categories will additionally benefit from bespoke promotional opportunities specifically designed to support filmmakers as they advance their careers and expand their professional networks within the industry.

Full details of our comprehensive Award Categories, including eligibility criteria and submission guidelines, can be found here: https://fearscreen.com/awards/category

Award recipients will receive their official Fear Screen laurels and trophies during our ceremony on Friday 13th November. Winners will be prominently featured across our online platforms and media channels, ensuring sustained visibility within the horror film community. Through strategic partnerships with creative organisations, industry bodies, and specialist press outlets, we are committed to providing award recipients with meaningful exposure and lasting recognition. These collaborations are designed to create pathways for continued success, helping talented filmmakers to connect with audiences, distributors, and fellow creators who share their passion for innovative horror cinema.

Rules & Terms

Fear Screen Film Festival – Official Rules and Terms of Entry

By submitting your film to the Fear Screen Film Festival, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by the following rules and terms. Please review these conditions carefully before completing your submission.

Eligibility

Submissions are open to filmmakers worldwide, regardless of age, nationality, or professional status.

We accept short films, feature films, documentaries, experimental works, animations, music videos, and student films that align with horror, thriller, supernatural, psychological, or dark genre themes.

All submissions must be the original creative work of the filmmaker(s) and must not infringe upon the intellectual property rights, moral rights, or any other rights of third parties.

Films not presented in English must include accurate, synchronized English subtitles. Submissions without proper subtitling will be marked as incomplete and may be disqualified from consideration.

Any film that is generated, in part or in full, using artificial intelligence (AI) tools for core creative elements (including but not limited to screenplay, dialogue, direction, performance, or visual composition) will be automatically disqualified. The festival celebrates human creativity and requires that submitted works originate substantially from human creators. AI may only be used for technical post-production purposes such as colour grading, sound editing, or visual effects enhancement, and such use must be disclosed in your submission materials.

Previously screened films are eligible for submission, though films that have already received wide theatrical or streaming distribution may be subject to additional review by the programming committee.

Submission Requirements

All entries must be submitted exclusively through FilmFreeway. Postal submissions, email entries, or submissions through alternative platforms will not be accepted.

Please provide the highest possible viewing quality for screening purposes, ideally via a downloadable file or a password-protected Vimeo or FilmFreeway screener link. Links must remain active throughout the entire selection period, typically until festival completion.

Each submission must include:
- A concise synopsis (maximum 300 words)
- A filmmaker biography (maximum 200 words per key creative)
- High-resolution promotional stills (minimum three images at 300 DPI or higher)
- A film poster or key art (if available)
- A complete list of cast and crew credits
- Dialogue list or script (if requested during the selection process)

There is no production date restriction. However, preference may be given to recent works (typically within the past three years) that demonstrate innovation, originality, and relevance within the genre.

The festival reserves the right to request additional materials, including director statements, behind-the-scenes content, or technical specifications, at any stage of the selection process.

Screening and Selection

Every eligible submission will be reviewed by the festival's programming team and selection committee.

Selection decisions are made entirely at the discretion of the Fear Screen Film Festival programming committee in consultation with curatorial advisors, and all decisions are final and binding.

Filmmakers of selected works will be notified through FilmFreeway and via the email address provided during submission. It is the filmmaker's responsibility to ensure contact details are current and accurate.

By submitting your film, you grant Fear Screen Film Festival the non-exclusive right to screen it publicly as part of the official programme if selected, for the duration of the festival and any associated extension or encore screenings.

The festival retains the right to include selected films in related festival events, retrospective programmes, educational screenings, or collaborative festival partnerships, with prior written notification to the filmmaker. Such screenings will be conducted on a non-commercial basis and in the spirit of festival promotion.

The festival is not obligated to screen all selected films and reserves the right to adjust the final programme based on thematic curation, time constraints, or technical considerations.

Awards and Recognition

Awards will be presented across several categories, subject to annual review and the quality of submissions received. Current award categories can be viewed at: https://fearscreen.com/awards/category

Official selection laurels and certificates will be awarded to all films chosen for screening in the festival programme.

The festival reserves the right not to present awards in any category if, in the opinion of the jury, no suitable entries meet the required standard for recognition in that particular year.

Award decisions are made by an independent jury and are final. No correspondence will be entered into regarding jury decisions or voting processes.

Winners will be announced during the festival's official awards ceremony and promoted through festival communications channels.

Technical Specifications and Delivery

Final exhibition copies will be requested from selected filmmakers following official notification. Acceptable formats may include DCP (Digital Cinema Package), ProRes 422 HQ or higher, H.264, or other high-quality digital video files as specified by the festival's technical team.

Filmmakers are solely responsible for ensuring that final screening copies are delivered by the specified deadline, in the correct format and technical specification, and in good working condition. The festival will provide detailed delivery instructions upon selection.

The festival will make reasonable efforts to screen films in optimal technical conditions. However, the festival accepts no liability for technical difficulties arising from file corruption, format incompatibility, or other unforeseen technical issues beyond reasonable control.

Should technical difficulties prevent the screening of a selected film through no fault of the festival, the filmmaker will be notified promptly and alternative arrangements will be discussed where feasible.

Rights and Legal Terms

The submitting filmmaker must hold all necessary rights to the work, including but not limited to rights to the screenplay, soundtrack, musical compositions, sound recordings, performance rights, and all visual materials incorporated within the film.

The filmmaker warrants that the film does not defame any person or entity and does not violate any applicable laws, regulations, or third-party rights.

The festival assumes no responsibility or liability for disputes, claims, or legal actions related to copyright infringement, trademark violations, credits, royalty claims, defamation, or any other legal matters arising from the content of submitted films.

Submission fees are non-refundable under any circumstances, including but not limited to non-selection, withdrawal of entry, disqualification, or cancellation of the festival due to circumstances beyond the organiser's control.

By submitting your entry, you grant Fear Screen Film Festival a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use promotional materials, including film stills, trailers, excerpts (up to two minutes in duration), and filmmaker interviews for publicity, marketing, and archival purposes across print media, online platforms, social media channels, and festival partner networks. This licence extends for a period of three years from the date of submission.

The festival will credit filmmakers appropriately in all promotional materials wherever practicable.

Selected filmmakers may be required to sign additional exhibition agreements or screening licences as determined by the festival's legal requirements.

Data Protection and Privacy

Fear Screen Film Festival is committed to protecting your personal information in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Personal data collected through the submission process will be used solely for festival administration, selection processes, and communication regarding your submission. Contact details may also be used to send festival news, updates, and information about future editions.

By submitting, you consent to your name, film title, and filmmaker biography being published in festival programmes, promotional materials, and on the festival website if your film is selected.

You have the right to request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal data at any time by contacting the festival administration.

Personal data will not be shared with third parties except where necessary for festival operations (such as FilmFreeway's platform services) or as required by law.

Attendance, Participation, and Promotion

Attendance at the festival is strongly encouraged but not mandatory for consideration or selection.

Selected filmmakers may be invited to participate in Q&A sessions, panel discussions, masterclasses, filmmaker interviews, or other festival events. While participation is encouraged to enhance audience engagement, it is not compulsory.

Travel, accommodation, and attendance expenses are the responsibility of the filmmaker unless alternative arrangements are explicitly agreed upon in writing with the festival management.

Fear Screen Film Festival actively champions emerging talent and independent voices in horror cinema. The festival will promote selected films and filmmakers across its official website, social media channels, email newsletters, press releases, and through partnerships with media outlets and festival collaborators.

Filmmakers are encouraged to promote their selection through their own channels and may use official selection laurels provided by the festival for this purpose.

Withdrawal and Disqualification

Filmmakers may withdraw their submission prior to the selection notification deadline without penalty, although submission fees remain non-refundable. Withdrawal requests must be submitted in writing via FilmFreeway or official festival email.

Once a film has been officially selected and announced publicly, withdrawal may only be permitted in exceptional circumstances and must be approved by the festival director. Withdrawal after official announcement may result in exclusion from future festival editions.

The festival reserves the right to disqualify any submission at any stage if it is found to violate these terms and conditions, misrepresent information, or fail to meet eligibility requirements.

Code of Conduct

Fear Screen Film Festival is committed to maintaining a respectful, inclusive, safe, and welcoming environment for all participants, including filmmakers, industry professionals, volunteers, staff, and audience members.

Discriminatory behaviour, harassment, hate speech, aggressive conduct, threatening behaviour, or inappropriate actions towards festival staff, guests, participants, or attendees will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

The festival is dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion within the horror genre and the wider film community. All individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, or background, are valued and respected.

The festival reserves the right to revoke participation, refuse entry to screenings or events, remove individuals from the premises, or take other appropriate action should any breach of conduct occur.

Incidents of misconduct should be reported immediately to festival staff or management. All reports will be treated seriously and confidentially.

Limitation of Liability

Fear Screen Film Festival, its organisers, sponsors, partners, volunteers, and affiliated organisations shall not be held liable for any loss, damage, injury, or expense incurred by filmmakers or their representatives in connection with submission, selection, attendance, or participation in festival activities.

The festival is not responsible for lost, damaged, or misdirected submissions, screening materials, or correspondence.

In the event that the festival is cancelled, postponed, or substantially altered due to circumstances beyond reasonable control (including but not limited to public health emergencies, natural disasters, venue unavailability, or force majeure events), the festival's liability is limited to reasonable efforts to reschedule or provide alternative arrangements. Submission fees will not be refunded in such circumstances.

The festival maintains no obligation to proceed with any particular edition and reserves the right to cancel or modify the festival format, dates, or location as necessary.

Modifications to Terms

Fear Screen Film Festival reserves the right to amend, update, or modify these rules and terms at any time. Any changes will be published on the official festival website and communicated through FilmFreeway where feasible.

Continued participation following notification of changes constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.

For the most current version of these rules and terms, please visit the official Fear Screen Film Festival website.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

Any disputes arising from or relating to these terms, your submission, or participation in the festival shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

Contact and Enquiries

For questions, clarifications, or concerns regarding these rules and terms, please contact the Fear Screen Film Festival team through FilmFreeway messaging or via the official contact details provided on the festival website.

The festival team will endeavour to respond to all enquiries within five working days during active submission periods.

Final Agreement and Acceptance

By submitting your film to Fear Screen Film Festival, you confirm that you have read, fully understood, and agree to abide by all rules, terms, and conditions outlined in this document.

Submission of your entry through FilmFreeway constitutes your full, unconditional, and legally binding acceptance of these terms and your agreement to be bound by all festival policies and decisions.

You further confirm that you have the authority to submit the film on behalf of all rights holders and that all information provided in your submission is accurate and complete to the best of your knowledge.

Thank you for your submission, and we look forward to discovering your work.