The Halloween Horror Festival
Prepare for a night of fear, suspense, and spine-tingling storytelling. This screening event showcases short films from across the UK—all 15 minutes or less—across a thrilling range of dark genres. Whether you’re into ghosts, psychological chills, or powerful dramas with a sinister edge, there’s a category for your vision.
Featured Categories:
Environmental Horror
Where real-world crises meet terror. These films tackle ecological nightmares—whether it’s nature’s revenge or the terrifying cost of human actions.
Zombie Horror
Apocalyptic chaos, flesh-eating undead, and a world in ruins. Classic or creative takes welcome—just bring the bite.
Suspense/Thriller Horror
Tension, paranoia, and the fear of the unseen. Your film might feature ghosts—or maybe the horror is all psychological. Either way, it’ll leave audiences unsettled.
The Spooky One
From haunted houses to eerie towns, these are the films that give us goosebumps. Expect the classic horror atmosphere—with a fresh twist.
Spiritual Horror
Good vs. evil, possession, rituals, and otherworldly forces at play. If your film explores spiritual dread or divine conflict, this is your category.
Expanded Categories (New for This Year):
Psychological Thriller
Diving deep into the mind, these films explore obsession, mental decay, and disturbing truths. Perfect for fans of tense, character-driven horror.
Dark Drama
Serious, emotional storytelling with a sinister or unsettling edge. Themes might include grief, revenge, or inner demons—grounded in realism.
Surreal Horror/Thriller
Stylized, dreamlike, or abstract. These films push boundaries and blur realities. If it’s strange and disturbing—we want it.
Period Horror or Thriller
Set in the past, filled with dread. Think candlelight, corsets, and creeping shadows—or haunting tales from historical moments.
Mind-Benders
Twisty, complex narratives that keep the audience guessing until the very end. Ideal for nonlinear timelines, unreliable narrators, or shocking reveals.
Folk Horror / Rural Thriller
Isolated communities, ancient rituals, or countryside dread. Where tradition turns terrifying and myths become real.
Sci-Fi Horror or Thriller
From alien invasions to dystopian futures and AI nightmares—if your horror or thriller is set in the world of science or space, it belongs here.
Screenings will take place at Cold Harbour Cinema in Brixton, London (UK).
For submission rules and full guidelines, please visit the “Rules” section on our website.
All films must be 15 minutes or less in length.
Selected filmmakers will only get one ticket per entry and will need to purchase additional tickets .
48-Hour Halloween Horror Film Challenge
The Halloween Horror Film Challenge is a 48-hour filmmaking competition.
Teams must register by Thursday 8 October 2026 through the Halloween Horror Film Festival website.
The Challenge begins at 8:00 pm on Friday 9 October 2026. Registered teams will receive the required Challenge criteria, theme and/or elements at this time.
All films must be written, filmed, edited and completed during the 48-hour Challenge period.
At the beginning of the finished film, teams must include a five-second blank gap, followed by a clear display of the required Challenge criteria/elements included in their film.
Final films must be submitted by 8:00 pm on Sunday 11 October 2026. Late submissions may not be accepted.
At the point of final submission, teams must pay the £25 Challenge entry fee.
Challenge films must follow all stated criteria, required elements and technical submission instructions. Films that do not meet these requirements may be disqualified.
The strongest completed Halloween horror shorts will be selected to screen at the Halloween Horror Film Festival. Selection is not guaranteed and all decisions remain at the discretion of the Festival judging panel.
If a Challenge film is selected for screening, the submitting team will receive one complimentary ticket to attend the Festival. Any additional tickets must be purchased.
