The Dark Fest is a film and script award festival.

We accept feature films, short films, short film scripts and digital media projects in the following genres: Horror, Sci-Fi, Mystery, film noir, and Thriller. Including any cross-genre films that strongly incorporate at least one of these genres. Feature films are in award competition only and will not be screened.

Films are in competition for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards.

Fan films are also accepted.

Additional winning categories will receive laurels and digital certificates.

All winning projects will be featured in our awards ceremony video.

In addition to the live screening we will also hold a virtual event that accompanies the live event. All selected film will also screen in the virtual event.

*****OUR PROMISE TO YOU*****
1. Our judges will watch every single submitted film in full. We owe that to you.

2. Our festival does provide FREE plaques and certificates as well as prizes, you will never have to pay for an award plaque or certificate. We owe that to you.

3. Our directors will make sure to update the status of your submission in a timely manner so that you are fully aware of your submission process. We owe that to you.

4. We will listen to your critical feedback and we will do our best to continue to make The Dark Fest one of the best festivals for filmmakers. We owe that to you.

Awards & Prizes

The Dark Fest will award a total of 13 coveted Dark Fest award statues, and an additional 41 awards certificates, for a massive 54 total awards.

Note: Every filmmaker that submits will be allowed to screen their film in the virtual event held on our website and will be allowed to participate in awards. Not all films will screen at the live event, only the top rated films will screen until allotted time has been filled.

The following prizes will be awarded in the following categories:

Best Short Film:
1st Place Winner Plaque

2nd Place Winner certificate

3rd Place Winner certificate

Best Script:
1st Place Best Script Plaque

2nd Place Winner certificate

3rd Place Winner certificate

Best Category Award:
Sci-Fi, Noir, Thriller, Horror, Dark Humanity, Dark Comedy

1st Place Best Catagory Plaque

2nd Place Winner certificate

3rd Place Winner certificate

(1st, 2nd, and 3rd awards for each category)

Best Screenplay:

1st Place Best Screenplay Plaque

2nd Place Winner certificate

3rd Place Winner certificate

Best Feature Film:
1st Place Winner Plaque

2nd Place Winner certificate

3rd Place Winner certificate

(Only Trailer will screen at live event, Features can be included in virtual event upon approval by filmmaker)

With the following additional special award certificates:

Jury Award (Judges overall favorite project)

Creativity Award (the project that shows the best signs of creativity)

Merit Award (the project that shows exceptional talent no matter the budget)

*Additional 1st, 2nd, and 3rd awards are presented via a digital certificate:
Best: Director, Editor, Cinematographer, Writer, Actor, Score, Concept

*No plaques, prizes or certificates will be provided for these categories, digital certificates only.

Rules & Terms

Films must be submitted via an online screener and must be downloadable. If you fail to supply us with a screener before the event, the film will be disqualified without refund.

You will give The Dark Fest rights to screen and promote your film during the run of the festival year in which you submitted your film or script. Including allowing your film to screen in our virtual event behind a paywall and not available for free to the general public. Please contact us for more information.

At The Dark Fest, we value story over anything else, we do not judge projects based on their budget, every filmmaker has an equal opportunity to shine no matter what their film cost.
18 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Mikko Löppönen

    Couldn't make it to the festival itself but communication was great and all the emails and videos made were really fun and professional! Thanks for letting our little short in!

    October 2023
    Helpful
  • johnny galvan

    Super cool festival. Do submit! I will again.

    October 2023
    Helpful
  • Harry Waldman

    Thanks for selecting "Enter the Room" into your festival. The communication was much more frequent and detailed at this festival than many other online festivals I have been a part of. The quality of films was pretty high for the online screening and the awards ceremony video was nicely put together. I had a very good experience overall and will definitely consider submitting future projects to The Dark Fest.

    September 2023
    Helpful
  • Lisa Ovies

    Super grateful to have been a part of the festival! Great communication and experience

    September 2023
    Helpful
  • Guillermo Ortiz

    I'm honored that The Avon Lady won the award for best script. I hope we can go to the next one with a new project. Communication was amazing. 10/10

    September 2023
    Helpful