*UPDATE: 60 second film submissions are open until September 22nd. Use the code: HISFF. If submission fee is a barrier, email us or DM us on IG*

Horror in Seconds is an award-winning indie film festival for filmmakers of colour. We amplify underrepresented voices in the genre through 60 second smartphone movies and live performances. Our festival celebrates innovation, creativity, and bold storytelling in horror, providing a platform for emerging racialized creators to share their visions.
Past editions featured film screenings, variety shows, horror trivia, horror open mic, and even spooky movie night with cats.

Our 2026 edition is extra special: we’re hosting two events, one in Vancouver and our first international pop-up at the Twisted Spine Bookstore in Brooklyn, New York. Both events will showcase unique micro films, all shot on smartphones.

In addition to the festival, we produce a horror podcast, The Horror Club, featuring interviews, movie reviews, and a weekly series called Horror That Heals, designed to help regulate your nervous system after watching horror films.

So grab your phone, shoot your 60-second horror, and submit from anywhere in the world. This year’s theme is: Monsters!

Awards & Prizes

Emerging Changemaker Award by GemFest

Rules & Terms

Please read carefully. Films that are not filmed horizontally or do not include accurate closed captioning may be disqualified:

-Applicants must be 19+

-Submissions are currently open only to filmmakers of colour

-Horror shorts must be 60 seconds or less (not including credits), shot horizontally on a smartphone

-No dialogue

-Music and sounds are optional, but all sounds must have accurate closed captioning for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Reference example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfe479qL8hg

-Films must be original works created specifically for Horror in Seconds during the submission period

-Add film credits at the end

-The theme for 2026 is: Monsters

By submitting, filmmakers agree that:

-They read and fully comply with all submission eligibility criteria and submission guidelines

-Their submission is filmed on a smartphone

-They give permission for Horror in Seconds to use videos, stills and information about the film for promotional purposes

-The film submitted was not screened in any other Film Festivals

-Submission fees are non-refundable
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  • Nandy Fajardo

    Horror in seconds is such a great festival in Vancouver. It highlights very talented artists in all areas of horror (burlesque, drag, musicians, dancers, film makers etc) it really brings the community together and it is a very inclusive space.

    February 2025
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