Mountains of Madness is Northern Nevada's dedicated genre film festival, celebrating all things genre cinema. Built by filmmakers, for filmmakers, the festival is designed to feel intimate, premium, and community-driven — where the work is presented in a cinema and the artists are treated with respect.
Our mission is simple: champion bold voices, spotlight emerging talent from around the world, and create a festival experience that genuinely supports the people behind the films. Expect curated screenings, filmmaker Q&As, late-night conversations, and a genuine sense of belonging — not just another pipeline where films disappear after the credits roll.
The inaugural edition will take place across three days at Galaxy Victorian in Sparks, featuring curated shorts blocks, select feature film screenings, and in-depth Q&As with attending filmmakers. The festival weekend will include a Thursday night kickoff event, three full days of programming, and an awards ceremony on Sunday evening. Filmmakers will have the opportunity to network, watch each other’s films on the big screen, connect with local audiences, and compete for official festival awards.
Whether you’re on your first short or your tenth feature, Mountains of Madness welcomes stories that sit outside the mainstream — films that take risks, films that haunt, films that make us feel alive.
Best Short Film
Best Feature Film
Best Performance
Most Striking Visual Identity
Most Visionary Filmmaker
Best Cinematic Moment
Outstanding Production Design
Best Use of Sound or Music
Breakthrough Filmmaker
Technical Excellence
