Festival start: 19 September 2026
Festival end: 20 September 2026
For all fans of horror and filmmaking 2026, will be bigger and better than before! We're playing two days in Hollywood. With star-studded premieres and Hollywood career celebrations (names to be announced shortly). We have our own coffee bar the entire weekend - for networking and relaxing between (and during) events - and we also plan to honor a celebrity star with the prestigious PRICE AWARD and raise funds for charity in the process.
Past honorees & special guests include JOHN LANDIS, SID HAIG, JOE DANTE, LANCE HENRIKSEN, DICK MILLER, STUART GORDON, DEE WALLACE, VICTORIA PRICE, KEVIN TENNEY, ALAN HOWARTH, ANULKA, BAI LING, JAKE BUSEY, LEW TEMPLE, BILL MOSELY, RICHARD BAND, MARY SCHEER, ROBERT 'CORPSY' RHINE, VERNON WELLS, JAMES KAREN, BEVERLY RANDOLPH, JEWEL SHEPARD, ROLFE KANEFSKY and CASSANDRA PETERSON, to name but a few.
More details will be announced in the coming months. All entrants get our free bi-monthy newsletter too.
Founder/Director
Hollywood Horrorfest
Select WINNERS will be offered the opportunity of having their work distributed worldwide (non-exclusive) through our unique partnership with FilmFest Distribution (see www.filmfestdistribution.com for more details).
Our rules are very basic but necessary. Please read all of the rules thoroughly before you enter.
1. Entry Rules
We accept ANY films, produced ANY year, in ANY category you feel is grindhouse or exploitation-genre related (horror, action, sci-fi, martial arts, animation, film noir, teen comedy, erotic, blacksploitation etc).
Submit the film/screenplay digitally through Festhome exclusively. You may have multiple entries. We do not offer a waiver fee. Entry fees are non-refundable. We do not return submission entries. All selections are final.
2. Subtitles
Any foreign language films must have english subtitles.
3. Formats
For the selection process a digital screener must be submitted via Festhome. Screenplays must be submitted in English as a digital PDF via Festhome.
4. Publicity
We reserve the right to use extracts from submissions for festival publicity and marketing purposes.
5. Awards (incl. but not limited to)
Best of the Fest
Best Feature Film
Best Short Film
Best Horror Comedy
Best Documentary
Best Director
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Production Design
Best Music Score
Best Make-Up
Best Special Effects
Best Unproduced Screenplay (Feature)
Best Unproduced Screenplay (Short)
6. Legal Terms & Conditions
The film contains no genuine acts of violence or animal cruelty.
7. Once a film is OFFICIALLY SELECTED and the film program has become public, it cannot be withdrawn by the filmmaker.
Entrant warrants that they have the full & uncontested legal right (incl. full rights to the use of the film’s music) to enter their film/screenplay work to Hollywood Horrorfest and that the said work is not subject to nor threatened by any litigation.
Entrant holds Hollywood Horrorfest its owners, management, juries, subsidiaries, agents, sponsors, affiliates, and etc. harmless from any and all claims of liability resulting from my entry. Entrants agree to defend and indemnify Hollywood Horrorfest, its directors, officers, employees, contractors, consultants, volunteers, judges and agents against any and all claims, demands, actions, or lawsuits arising out of or related to the screening of the submitted film, performance of the music, or displaying of the art.
Hollywood Horrorfest has the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to change the festival date or location, if deemed necessary or unavoidable, to ensure a successful festival. In such a case the festival will try its best to continue as normal, just at another venue/date TBD or operate online (partially or fully) if deemed necessary or unavoidable.
MUSIC VIDEO
Short and Feature Films >2' 120'<
Fee-8%
PRO 23%
Early25$23$
19.25$
31 Dec 25
Standard35$32.2$
26.95$
30 Apr 26
Late45$41.4$
34.65$
01 Aug 26
Extended65$59.8$
50.05$
01 Sep 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
01 Sep 26
Save up
5.75$
Submit
We believe all films deserve an audience. We accept ANY films, produced ANY year, in ANY category you feel is grindhouse or exploitation-genre related (horror, action, sci-fi, martial arts, film noir, teen comedy, erotic, blacksploitation etc).
And we are open to projects both without and with distribution.
DOCUMENTARY
Short and Feature Films >5' 180'<
Fee-8%
PRO 23%
Early40$36.8$
30.8$
31 Dec 25
Standard45$41.4$
34.65$
30 Apr 26
Late45$41.4$
34.65$
01 Aug 26
Extended85$78.2$
65.45$
01 Sep 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
01 Sep 26
Save up
9.2$
Submit
We believe all films deserve an audience. We accept ANY films, produced ANY year, of ANY length, covering ANY subject you feel is grindhouse or exploitation-genre related.
And we are open to projects both with and without distribution.
Screenplay (feature film)
Text Project >46p 180p<
Fee-8%
PRO 23%
Early30$27.6$
23.1$
31 Dec 25
Standard40$36.8$
30.8$
30 Apr 26
Late50$46$
38.5$
01 Aug 26
Extended75$69$
57.75$
01 Sep 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
01 Sep 26
Save up
6.9$
Submit
Scripts should be un-Produced, and can be from ANY year, in ANY category you feel is grindhouse or exploitation-genre related (horror, action, sci-fi, martial arts, film noir, teen comedy, erotic, blacksploitation etc).
Over 45 pages
Screenplay (short film)
Text Project >1p 45p<
Fee-8%
PRO 23%
Early10$9.2$
7.7$
31 Dec 25
Standard15$13.8$
11.55$
30 Apr 26
Late25$23$
19.25$
01 Aug 26
Extended50$46$
38.5$
01 Sep 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
01 Sep 26
Save up
2.3$
Submit
Scripts should be un-Produced, and can be from ANY year, in ANY category you feel is grindhouse or exploitation-genre related (horror, action, sci-fi, martial arts, film noir, teen comedy, erotic, blacksploitation etc).
Under 45 pages
FEATURE FILM
Short and Feature Films >51' 180'<
Fee-8%
PRO 23%
Early40$36.8$
30.8$
31 Dec 25
Standard45$41.4$
34.65$
30 Apr 26
Late55$50.6$
42.35$
01 Aug 26
Extended95$87.4$
73.15$
01 Sep 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
01 Sep 26
Save up
9.2$
Submit
We believe all films deserve an audience. We accept ANY films, produced ANY year, in ANY category you feel is grindhouse or exploitation-genre related (horror, action, sci-fi, martial arts, film noir, teen comedy, erotic, blacksploitation etc).
And we are open to projects both without and with distribution.
Runtime over 50 minutes.
SHORT FILM
Short Films >1' 50'<
Fee-8%
PRO 23%
Early25$23$
19.25$
31 Dec 25
Standard35$32.2$
26.95$
30 Apr 26
Late45$41.4$
34.65$
01 Aug 26
Extended75$69$
57.75$
01 Sep 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
01 Sep 26
Save up
5.75$
Submit
We believe all films deserve an audience. We accept ANY films, produced ANY year, in ANY category you feel is grindhouse or exploitation-genre related (horror, action, sci-fi, martial arts, film noir, teen comedy, erotic, blacksploitation etc).
And we are open to projects both without and with distribution.
Runtime Under 50 minutes.
Festhome holds accountable fees festivals by holding the payment of the fees of most newer festivals until they have viewed the submissions, held their festivals and other methods.