Film and Script Submission Information

All filmmakers attending the festival will receive a NFC ID Badge that can access the website when put it close to your smartphone. Goodie bags will also be available (while supply last.)

We have updated new categories on Film FreeWay, please take a look! No you can submit Scoring Competition and Monologue Competition at Film FreeWay!

Horror Hotel Categories (film or script):

    • Feature
    • Short (under 55 mins)
    • Micro (5 min or less)
    • Music Video
    • Trailer
    • TV Pilot
    • Web Episode

Horror Hotel Genres

    • Action
    • Experimental
    • Fantasy
    • Horror
    • Horror-Comedy
    • LGBTQ+ (Horror sub-genre)
    • Martial Arts 
    • Sci-Fi
    • Slasher
    • Suspense-Thriller
    • Thriller

Deadlines:

    • Opening Date
    • Earlybird Deadline
    • Regular Deadline
    • Final/Late Deadline
    • Deadline for Scoring Competition
    • May 14, 2026. Deadline for Monologue Competition
    • May 15, 2026. Deadline for Room 237 Competition
    • May 15 or earlier. Notification Date
    • Event Date

As we added additional categories, we are no longer accepting submissions via mail.

Festival Submission Rules

Please read in full before submitting.

Each film or script are being judged by 3 people, the average score of 7 or more will be selected for screening. Those nominated will be averaged score of over 8. All judges must watch through the films or read the entire script prior to judging.

Filmmakers, please also note if your film is a student project or non-English/subtitled film, as we have separate categories for these. Please include your project name in the e-mail.

There are NO restrictions as to when your film or script was completed or where it has been released. Anyone may enter the competition. All entries must receive an average score of 85 or above in the judging process to qualify for award placement.

Filmmakers – all submissions must be digital (1080 or 4k MP4 format) via google drive, or WeTransfer. You can also mail us two copies on flash drives, please test before mailing. All showings will be digital, we are no longer accepting Blu-Ray’s or DVD/s.

Hard copies are NOT returned, unless you clear this with the festival administration from the beginning. In order to have your flash drive(s) or script(s) returned to you (after the festival) you MUST send an SASE along with your flash drive(s) OR script(s) – not separately or after.

IF YOU SUBMIT VIA SECURE ONLINE SCREENER AND YOUR FILM IS SELECTED TO SCREEN, YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO SEND A FINAL HIGH QUALITY MP4 (DIGITAL, EITHER 1080 OR 4K). ANY SELECTED FILM NOT RECEIVED BY A GIVEN DEADLINE WILL BE REPLACED IN THE LINEUP – NO EXCEPTIONS.

We do not grant submission fee waivers under any circumstance.

We do not pay screening fees.

Please note, if your project qualifies for an award, you or a direct representative from your project must be in attendance at the festival in order to receive any physical awards. Non-attending winners will be e-mailed award certificates after the event.

All submissions – once selected – come with TWO complimentary 4-day event pass to the festival. No additional passes will be comped. Any additional passes must be purchased in advance or at the door.

If you have a film in competition which can no longer be considered for screening, you may withdraw it from screening consideration but still leave it in competition for award placement. Please e-mail horrorhotelfest @ gmail.com immediately if you need to withdraw from consideration for screening.

You may withdraw your submission at any time, but there are no refunds on submissions.