This Is Where Horror Finds a Home

The Sinister Horror Film Festival returns for its third edition—bolder, darker, and more committed than ever to the creators behind the horror. We don’t believe in empty prestige or red tape. We believe in fearless voices, in disturbing visions, and in offering a platform that truly values the people behind the work.

This is not just a festival. It’s a community where horror is celebrated not only on screen, but also on paper, in still images, in music—and in every dark place art can reach.

At Sinister, every selected participant becomes part of our family.

Each project chosen for competition earns a feature in Sinister Magazine, our official editorial space, where we amplify your vision, voice, and creative process.

If you’re ready to be seen, this is your invitation.

Each submission is evaluated for its creativity, technical execution, and contribution to the genre.

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Categories & Awards

At Sinister, horror is not confined to a single medium—it’s a force that manifests through cinema, writing, sound, and image. The competition is open to works in Feature Film, Short Film, Screenwriting (Feature & Short), Animation (Feature & Short), Music Video, and Photography. Each submission is evaluated for its creativity, technical execution, and impact within the genre.

THE SINISTER AWARD

The ultimate symbol of horror excellence. Presented to the Best Feature Film and Best Short Film, the Sinister Award is more than recognition—it’s a relic. A handcrafted coffin-shaped sculpture crowned with a blood-tinged eye, it represents the final threshold horror dares to cross. To receive it is to be immortalized within the genre. → Learn more about the Sinister Award

Master of Horror (New for 2026)

Unveiled in this third edition, the Master of Horror award celebrates the Best Director in both Feature and Short Film—those whose creative vision leads horror into new, uncharted territory. This award is accompanied by a unique and specially designed statuette, created exclusively for the directors who redefine the language of fear. More than a title, it is a tribute to authorship, control, and the cinematic craft of conjuring nightmares.

Additional Recognitions

In addition to our top awards, Sinister presents over 44 specialized recognitions across a wide range of creative and technical categories—honoring achievements in acting, writing, editing, sound design, makeup, monster design, visual effects, and more.

These awards are designed not just to reward technical skill, but to spotlight the many elements that give horror its soul.

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Rules & Terms

Thank you for your interest in submitting your work to the second edition of the Sinister Horror Film Festival, to be held in December 2026. We are honored to receive projects from creators across the globe and look forward to discovering bold, innovative, and unsettling visions in horror cinema, screenwriting, music, and visual art.

Please read the following Rules and Terms carefully before submitting your project.

1. Eligibility

Sinister is open to filmmakers, screenwriters, music video directors, photographers, and horror artists of all experience levels and nationalities. There are no age restrictions. We welcome submissions from both seasoned professionals and emerging creators. All genres and subgenres related to horror are eligible, including but not limited to: psychological horror, supernatural horror, thriller, dark fantasy, sci-fi horror, and experimental horror.

2. Accepted Languages

Submissions are accepted in any language; however, all non-English audiovisual works with spoken dialogue must include accurate English subtitles. This applies to feature films, short films, and animated works. Projects submitted without subtitles may be disqualified from official selection.

For screenplays, only works written in English or Spanish will be considered. No other languages will be accepted for the screenwriting category.

3. Technical Requirements

Each submission must comply with the technical criteria of its respective category:

• Feature Films: 40 minutes or longer.
• Short Films: Under 40 minutes.
• Screenplays: Must be original works and submitted in PDF format. Unproduced scripts only.
• Music Videos: Should not exceed 10 minutes in length.
• Photography: High-resolution JPEG or PNG files are required.

Participants are responsible for ensuring their submission is complete, correctly formatted, and uploaded in its final version.

4. Originality and Rights

All submitted works must be entirely original and owned by the submitting party. By entering the competition, you confirm that your work does not infringe upon any copyrights, trademarks, or rights of third parties. Any plagiarized or unauthorized content will result in immediate disqualification and legal responsibility falls solely on the entrant.

5. Submission Process and Fees

Each entry must be submitted through the festival’s official page on FilmFreeway. Submission fees apply per project and per category. These fees are non-refundable under any circumstance. The current fee structure, including deadlines (Earlybird, Regular, Late), is available on the platform and must be observed. Projects submitted without full payment will not be reviewed.

6. Multiple Entries

Participants may submit more than one project, and may enter multiple categories if applicable. Each project must be submitted separately and accompanied by the corresponding fee.

7. Selection and Notification

All submissions are reviewed by a team of qualified professionals with extensive experience in the horror genre. Final decisions regarding the Official Selection are made by the programming committee. Accepted participants will be notified via the email provided in their FilmFreeway profile. No feedback or scoring will be provided for non-selected entries.

8. Awards and Recognition

Winners will be announced during the festival’s award ceremony. The Sinister Award®—our highest honor—is granted to the Best Feature Film and Best Short Film. In addition, awards are presented in multiple creative and technical categories, including directing, screenwriting, cinematography, sound, score, acting, editing, and monster design, among others. Unproduced screenplays, music videos, photography, and animated works are also recognized with dedicated awards.

Sinister also collaborates with official sponsors to offer special prizes, highlighting technical achievement, originality, and emerging talent. Every selected creator will also be invited to participate in a feature or interview published in Sinister Magazine, the festival’s official editorial platform.

9. Screening and Promotional Rights

By submitting your work, you grant the Sinister Horror Film Festival the non-exclusive right to screen your project during the 2025 edition. You also authorize the use of stills, clips (up to 30 seconds), posters, titles, and other materials for promotional use across the festival’s digital platforms, printed materials, and press campaigns.

10. Code of Conduct

Sinister is committed to fostering a professional, inclusive, and respectful environment for all participants. Harassment, discrimination, or abusive behavior in any form will not be tolerated and may result in disqualification or removal from official programming.

11. Responsibility and Liability

The Sinister Horror Film Festival and its partners are not responsible for any damage, loss, or misplacement of submitted materials. Participation is at the sole risk of the entrant. We recommend keeping backup copies of all files submitted.

12. Changes and Amendments

The festival reserves the right to modify these Rules and Terms, as well as the festival schedule, jury lineup, or venue details at any time. Any changes will be communicated publicly through official channels or directly to participants when necessary.

13. Legal Agreement

By submitting your work, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and fully agreed to all the terms outlined above. Failure to comply with any rule may result in disqualification.

We look forward to discovering the voices that will shape the next chapter in horror. Thank you for being part of Sinister.