"...this gonzo celebration started a decade ago as a quaint movie club in the backroom of a bar. Now, it’s a ten-day affair held at several different venues with an estimated 5,000 guests in attendance for 2025. That’s a 20 percent increase since last year and proof that buzz for Brooklyn Horror is building scary well." - IndieWire

"The Brooklyn Horror Film Festival remains one of genre cinema’s most vital showcases." - Morbidly Beautiful

"I think it's become really just terrific, one of the best, now that it's all set at the Nitehawk. The feeling was just so electric." - Colors of the Dark Podcast

Moviemaker Magazine's World's 50 Best Genre Festivals

Dead Central's The Best Horror Festivals in the World

"One of the country’s premier indie horror showcases." - Vulture

"It was an ambitious event for a young festival and they pulled it off beautifully, placing them firmly on the annual festival calendar in years to come." - Film Threat

"A can’t-miss fall event for horror and film fans alike" -Birth.Movies.Death

"BHFF has established itself as a worthy addition to the horror festival circuit." -Entertainment Weekly

"Pushing the boundaries of what can reasonably be termed horror." -Rue Morgue

"The Brooklyn Horror Film Festival has already asserted itself as a must-attend genre gathering for horror lovers everywhere" -We Got This Covered

"The programming and events clearly display a passion for horror." -Bloody Disgusting

Brooklyn Horror 2026 will return to its eight-day festival format October 15th-22nd with weekend programming going morning to late night, while the weekdays will kick off late afternoon.

The festival's signature sidebars are all back including SLAYED, dedicated to LGBTQIA+ films, HEAD TRIP, spotlighting films that push the boundaries and expectations of the horror genre and our newest section BLACK HORROR, representing and uplifting Black filmmakers in genre cinema.

Awards & Prizes

Best Feature
Best Short
Best Director
Best Performance
Special Jury Awards
Audience Choice Award

Rules & Terms

The 2026 festival considers short films 45 minutes or less and feature films of 46 minutes or longer. Works in progress are accepted. Please note:

One entry per submission fee.

All feature films submitted must be at minimum a NY Premiere. Short films must not have played in NYC in the 30 days prior to our festival and a NY Premiere is preferred.

Films can not be publicly available online prior to the festival dates.

Entries must be in English or subtitled/dubbed in English.

It is the responsibility of the filmmaker to clear all rights before your film screens at the festival. By submitting you agree: I shall indemnify and hold harmless Brooklyn Horror Film Festival 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.

By submitting, if accepted, you agree to grant the festival the right to use film images for promotional purposes.

Fees:
Submission fees are not refundable. The festival does not pay screening fees.
136 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Sara Demetree

    The TTP team was so glad to have Brooklyn Horror Film Festival be the premiere of our horror short. Everything about this festival is fantastic. The communication, the venue, the Q&A. I would highly recommend applying to this festival!! Everyone seems genuinely supportive and happy to be there. We love BHFF <3

    February 2026
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  • Julia Hebner

    Had such a great experience at this festival. Super thoughtful Q&A (to a packed house at 11:30am) and a great audience. The programmers and staff are all really attentive and do such a great job. I wasn't able to attend the whole festival due to circumstances beyond my control, but I really wish I had. Highly, highly recommend. This festival draws a great crowd.

    December 2025
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  • Paige Campbell

    What an amazing festival. My Yiddish language short film Striya screened with Brooklyn Horror this year, and I was so impressed with how professional, well-run, and engaging BK Horror is. Every short in every block that I saw was top-tier! We were so honored to be included. The festival offers tons of parties and networking opportunities (and even some philanthropy), and every interaction we had with Joseph and the rest of the festival staff were warm and accommodating. Just a phenomenal selection of films, including a robust presentation of work from local NYC filmmakers. I definitely hope to be back!

    November 2025
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  • Samuel McIntosh

    The fest ran so smoothly and professionally -- and the projection, sound, and audiences were great. Thank you again to the Brooklyn Horror team. Hope to be back soon.

    November 2025
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  • Allie Perison

    Still basking in the afterglow of our Brooklyn Horror Film Festival experience! We were so honored for SHE DEVIL to be selected as a part of the 'Slayed' block - and were absolutely blown away by the programming and networking that came with it. Thank you so much, BHFF! Certainly plan on submitting all our future films! Hope to return soon!

    November 2025
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