Now entering its blood-soaked fourth season, the Cyprus Horror Society Film Festival has risen from the shadows to become a premier destination for bold, provocative, and boundary-pushing genre cinema. Nestled in the atmospheric heart of Limassol, this annual celebration of horror dares to showcase the darkest visions from around the globe—whether spine-chilling shorts, arthouse nightmares, or stylish psychological thrillers. Each year, the festival draws filmmakers, fans, and industry professionals into its elegantly macabre embrace, offering a curated program that balances terrifying originality with cinematic sophistication.

More than just a screening event, CHSFF is a living, breathing society of horror—a thriving community of creators, dreamers, and genre devotees who share a deep reverence for the art of fear. It serves as a bridge between cultures, voices, and visions, uniting filmmakers and audiences from across the world under one blood-red banner. Here, emerging talent stands shoulder to shoulder with genre veterans, forging connections that transcend borders and language. As the festival enters its fourth season, it continues to grow as a beacon for horror’s global family—where every scream, shadow, and sinister idea finds a home.

Awards & Prizes

🩸 MOTION PICTURE AWARDS (Feature-Length Films)

🎬 Primary Awards

Best Motion Picture
Best Director in a Motion Picture
Best Screenplay in a Motion Picture
Best Leading Performance in a Motion Picture
Best Supporting Performance in a Motion Picture

🎨 Craft & Technical Awards
Best Cinematography in a Motion Picture
Best Film Editing in a Motion Picture
Best Sound Design in a Motion Picture
Best Original Score for a Motion Picture
Best Visual Effects in a Motion Picture
Best Production Design in a Motion Picture
Best Makeup and Practical Effects in a Motion Picture
Best Creature or Monster Design in a Motion Picture

👻 Genre Excellence Awards
Most Frightening Scene in a Motion Picture
Most Original Concept in a Motion Picture
Best Kill Scene in a Motion Picture
Best Antagonist or Monster in a Motion Picture
Best “Final Girl” or Survivor Performance

🩸 SHORT FILM AWARDS

🎬 Primary Awards
Best Short Film
Best Director of a Short Film
Best Screenplay in a Short Film
Best Performance in a Short Film

🎨 Craft & Technical Awards
Best Cinematography in a Short Film
Best Film Editing in a Short Film
Best Sound Design in a Short Film
Best Visual or Practical Effects in a Short Film

👻 Genre Excellence Awards
Most Terrifying Short Film
Most Original Concept in a Short Film
Best Micro-Horror (Under 5 Minutes)
Best Use of Limited Budget in a Short Film
Best Horror-Comedy Short Film

🏆 CROSS-CATEGORY / SPECIAL AWARDS
Audience Choice Award
Best Debut Horror Film (Short or Feature)
Best International Horror Film
Best Cypriot Horror Film
Jury Special Mention
Festival Director’s Award for Artistic Distinction

Rules & Terms

Rules:
1) To submit a film to our awards, you must have created the project yourself, own the rights or have permission from the owner of the content to submit the film to us.
2) All films must be submitted in a digital format. We prefer DCP but we will accept HQ avi, mp4, mov.
3) ALL films (including films in the English language) MUST have English subtitles (and if possible, greek subtitles*) incorporated in the film and not as a separate file.
4) We accept Horror, Thrillers, Mystery Thrillers, Psychological Horrors/Thrillers, Animation Horror/Thrillers, comedy horrors.

WE DO NOT ACCEPT:
1. Pornography.
2. Amateur videos i.e. films with a poor production standard (bad sound, lack of
subtitles/ captions, video resolution less than 720p HD).
3. We do not currently accept scripts.

We reserve the right to disqualify films that feature a significant political or religious agenda. Once selected, we might use small clips, posters for promotional purposes.

FILM ENTRIES & RUNTIMES
Feature Films: All Films above 50 minutes in length.
Medium Films: All Films between 30 minutes and 49:59 minutes in length.
Short Films: All Films below 29:59 in length.

PLEASE MAKE SURE FILMS ARE ENTERED INTO THE CORRECT RUNTIME OR ELSE BE AUTOMATICALLY DISQUALIFIED.

CYPRUS SPECIFICATIONS
To qualify for the ‘Cyprus’ award, your principal production crew must be based in Cyprus.
25 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Vasilis Chatzikostas

    Had a ton of fun, the guys hosting the festival where not only very kind but also very professional. Loved every second of it. It was such an honor to be there.

    May 2025
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  • Behnam Bahadori

    Thank you Cyprus Horror Society for inviting me but I can't come to festival

    May 2025
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  • Bekim Vanbosche

    I wasn’t able to attend the festival in person, but the communication was so good that it truly didn’t feel like I missed out. It felt like I was part of it the whole time.

    Festival organizer Andreas Avgousti shows more passion for his festival than I’ve ever seen—and I respect that 100%. At the same time, he’s incredibly professional.

    This year, there were challenges with the festival’s location, but Andreas didn’t give up. He kept pushing forward to make it happen, and he succeeded.

    He made sure that the entire island of Cyprus knew about the festival. He arranged for trailers to be shown in every cinema across Cyprus before films, published articles in the local news, kept updating social media constantly—and so much more.

    The festival was packed, and from what I saw, the audience had a blast. And honestly, that’s the most important thing.

    The film selections were also excellent. Some of the titles I’ve seen at other festivals, and they were high-quality films with great stories. It’s clear that Andreas knows how to curate a lineup that works and that entertains.

    This is still a young festival, but it has huge potential. It’s absolutely worth submitting your film, and I’m confident that in the coming years, this will become one of the top horror festivals in the world.

    May 2025
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  • SPAGOOLIE FILMS

    The effort of the festival’s team and director curating, communicating and showcasing projects is outstanding. Let’s hope for a fourth edition!

    May 2025
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  • Alexander Machlouzarides-Shalit

    How special it is to find a festival that isn't concerned with the financial bottom-line, this festival has heart and a passion for horror filmmaking. This was a genuinely special, important, and entertaining festival. The organisation was great, the trophies and posters well thought out and designed, and the hosts were well organised and hospitable. The cinema was filled with wholesome, family vibes throughout, contrasting with the immaculate thrills and chills experienced on-screen. Will definitely be submitting again.

    May 2025
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