Absolutely lived up to the hype. What an honor to be included in this line up of talent. Can’t wait til next time. Xoxo
Elizabeth Crummett
Filmmaker
About
About Us
Screamfest for Filmmakers and Horror Fans
Screamfest Horror Film Festival stands as a cornerstone of the horror genre, boasting the largest and longest running festival of its kind in the United States. It has launched the careers of numerous filmmakers by discovering and premiering groundbreaking films such as Paranormal Activity in 2007. With high praise from some of the most respected horror publications, it has earned the well-deserved moniker of the "Sundance of Horror."
The festival’s upcoming 2024 event will be held at the prestigious TCL Chinese 6 Theatres on the third floor of the Ovation Hollywood (Formally Hollywood & Highland), located in the heart of vibrant Hollywood, California.
Screamfest is dedicated to premiering the newest and most innovative works from American and international independent horror filmmakers. The festival has a proud history of helping filmmakers gain distribution and representation, thus providing them with the opportunity to launch their careers in the industry.
The festival accepts film entries in a variety of categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Special Effects, Best Special Effects, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best SPFX Makeup, Best Editing and Best Musical Score. Additionally, Screamfest has special categories dedicated to recognizing the Best Short and Best Student Short. Additionally, If enough animated horror short films or horror short comedies are selected for the festival, additional awards will be offered.
Founded in August 2001 by film producers Rachel Belofsky and Ross Martin, Screamfest was created as a platform for horror and sci-fi filmmakers and writers to showcase their work to industry professionals. Since its inception, the majority of films showcased at the festival have gone on to secure distribution, a testament to Screamfest's impact on the genre.
Testimonial
Screamfest
Trusted By Filmmakers & Horror Fans Around The World
Screamfest was an incredibly fulfilling and awesome time. We're honored to have screened our short film among so many other great horror flicks, and getting to see it on a huge screen with a packed house was something I won't soon forget. The staff was wonderful, and they created an amazing space to meet a bunch of fellow filmmakers.
Jason Sheedy
Filmmaker
Showing my movie THE DEEP DARK at Screamfest was the best experience EVER! Perfect organization, great screening at the TCL Chinese Theater, and an amazing time. Thank you guys. Winning BEST PICTURE has been the cherry on the cake.
mathieu turi
Filmmaker
It was super surreal to show Greed & Gore off at the Chinese theatre for screamFest, everything felt very cool there, I can’t wait to go back!
Adam Kirkey
Filmmaker
Amazing festival with great venue and wonderful staff. Would love to return in the future!
Sean Cruser
Filmmaker
Simply put, the BEST horror film fest around.
Sam Boxleitner
Filmmaker
A true festival experience, with distribution offers, wild networking opportunities and a ton of real horror fans selling out 300-seat theaters! REAL DEAL FEST!
JP Ouellette
Filmmaker
The best film festival I have been to! It is SO truly supportive of all filmmakers (whether shorts or features). The community is incredible and the films play at the historic TCL Chinese theater. The best experience EVER! I will come back again and again :)
Maria Kosyanenko
Filmmaker
Top-tier horror festival! Big thanks to the amazing festival team.
Semyon Voinov
Filmmaker
What a great time! Rachel and the team are kind and communicative, and we had a great turnout for our screening. Made some new connections and had a great Q&A. Also love how we were paired with a feature rather than being in a block. Can’t wait to be back!
Tyler Savage
Filmmaker
Truly the best festival experience I've had so far.
Devan Schoelen
Filmmaker
Love Screamfest so much! Everyone was super nice and helpful. It's incredible to see your work at the Chinese Theatre and the caliber of movies was excellent!
Anjela Vega
Filmmaker
Screamfest delivered! I was honored to attend the festival, which was well orchestrated and featured an incredible slate of films. The Black Carpet event and filmmakers parties were incredible. Thank you, Screamfest!
Heather Turman
Filmmaker
If you love horror films - either making them or watching them - then Screamfest is an absolute MUST. They screen right in the heart of Hollywood at the Chinese Theatres and program horror flicks that run the gamut from terrifying to hilarious to straight up outlandish. What's more, it's a great opportunity to meet fellow horror film lovers and to become a part of that passionate community. Can't recommend enough!
Alex Hanno
Filmmaker
Screamfest is the best of the best and it was such an honor for our film A GOOD SCREAM to be included in this year's lineup! The festival staff and volunteers are true fans of independent film and foster a great networking experience for their filmmakers. I made so many contacts and (more importantly) friends during the epic 10 day festival! I highly recommend this fest for new and veteran filmmakers alike. Thank you so much Karen and Rachel! I can't wait for next year!
Fayna Sanchez
Filmmaker
Thanks to placing in Screamfest, I was put into contact with the amazing producers at Dark Sky Films who optioned my creature feature. – 2020 semi-finalist
Tyler Jones
Screenwriter
Screamfest was one of the most exciting experiences of our life. Seeing our films screened at Chinese Theatre was really a dream come true. Plus, it gave us the opportunity to meet great filmmakers and producers. Thank you again Screamfest! You're the best T3
Alessandro Antonaci
Filmmaker
It was amazing to be able to attend an actual film festival in 2020 and see our film up on the big screen! Rachel and the team did a fantastic job of making this happen and utilizing the Drive-in format to allow filmmakers and film fans to have some sort of live event during the pandemic. Can't wait to create more films to submit and look forward to catching more great films to watch in 2021!
Justin Hyne
Filmmaker
Screamfest is one of my favorite festivals to be in! The festival itself is a lot of fun with loads of quality content and great events. I have had two films in competition with them so far and I couldn’t have been happier. The folks in charge of Screamfest (Rachel and Karen) are great to work with. They are professional, communicative and really love horror. I will continue to submit my films and cross my fingers that I get in as Screamfest really is in the top of its class!
Meredith Red
Filmmaker
Great Festival! Went out of their way to make it happen despite all the limitations with Covid. Great experience, organization and display of films. Highly recommend!
Scott O'Hara
Filmmaker
This was an all-timer festival experience for me. Karen and Rachel are tremendously kind, and helpful people, and they really take care of their filmmakers. They're fabulous communicators, and love the genre so much it shows in everything they do. The screenings were top notch, and the theater was packed. The social events were well-run, and you couldn't pick a better venue to screen your film. I loved my time out in LA with Screamfest and will definitely be submitting future films here to capture this magic one more time.
Scott Vasey
Filmmaker
Thanks for selecting and awarding our short film "The Light" as Best Short Film! It was an honor to be part of Screamfest 2021. :)
Marta Salvador Tato
Filmmaker
Brilliant festival - excellent communication and a brilliantly organized event. Our film THE OTHER ONE won their Best Student Film award which we couldn't be happier with!
Rebekah Louisa Smith
Filmmaker
As an alumni of this festival, I recommend it for all filmmakers that have a thrilling film!
Michael Kehoe
Filmmaker
Expertly run like a well oiled machine by two incredible women and a vast team of terrific film festival workers and staff. You will feel like a celebrity with the parties and red carpet opportunities and you will be treated like the serious filmmaker you are with the many opportunities to network, thoughtful Q and A discussions about your film and lots of publicity for you and your film. It is the best film festival I've ever been in. Thank you Screamfest for having Misophonia as part of your schedule this year. You're simply the best!
Julianna Robinson
Filmmaker
Thank you SCREAMFEST, what an amazing honor this was, to finally have one of our films go through. The TCL Chinese Theater holds so much history, and thanks to your festival we are a part of that too. Thank you for all you do, even during a pandemic, to ensure this festival is always awesome. From the live events, screenings, and special guests, we would die to do this all over again!! Awesome GRRR & THANK YOU AGAIN!!!
Dave Reda
Filmmaker
Absolutely delightful!!!!! My partner and I were over the moon after attending Screamfest. Hell of a festival!
Anatasha Blakely
Filmmaker
I had an amazing experience at Screamfest! Rachel is awesome, the venue is incredible and the exposure was everything I hoped for. If you have a horror film be sure to submit to Screamfest. You won't be disappointed!
Matthew McWilliams
Filmmaker
Screamfest is everything you think it would be and more! Rachel and Karen made the process a blast from start to finish, and being part of such a prestigious festival was nothing short of mind-blowing.
Craig Low
Filmmaker
Best horror film festival on the planet! They were extremely communicative through the entire process, hosted us in an awesome theater with top notch sound and video quality, gave us many options to make sure we were all comfortable, has a loyal fanbase of horror hounds who want to see something new, and now our film is on their YouTube channel. I wish I could've gone more days to see the other films, but I will be back in the future, and hopefully with another film of my own!
Dallas Harden
Filmmaker
Screamfest is an absolute dream come true for horror fans and filmmakers alike! Rachel, Karen, and the whole team are knowledgeable, professional, and exceptional at what they do. This was my second time having the honor of playing at Screamfest, and I can't wait to submit again. An absolute delight from end to end. I highly recommend it to any horror filmmakers out there!
Sergio Guerra
Filmmaker
I love this festival and if you have made a genre film, you absolutely must submit. Thank you to Rachel, Karen, and the rest of the team for another awesome festival experience!!
Matthew Higgins
Filmmaker
Best festival I've worked with, both horror and non-genre. Rachel and Karen did a great job communicating on everything, and actually went out of their way to try to connect the filmmakers with each other. On top of all that I just love the fact that through them we were able to show our film at the Chinese Theatre!
Kraig Krueger
Filmmaker
There's a reason Screamfest is considered one of, if not, the best horror festivals in the world. Rachel and her team are simply the best. everyone is friendly and accommodating. The venue is great. The movies are great. The swag is great. And the DJ at the awards party isn't too bad either.
Alex Montilla
Filmmaker
This was easily the greatest accomplishment I’ve had of my indie filmmaking journey thus far. Making a film in 2020, I didn’t even know if theaters were going to be open. Not only was I able to premiere through SCREAMFEST, it took place at the iconic Chinese theater in Hollywood. This was a priceless experience I will always cherish. Thank you to everyone at SCREAMFEST for the honor.
Michael Yosef
Filmmaker
Great festival! If your project is selected you really MUST attend! Karen & Rachel have a true love in organising Screamfest and they take great care of their guests and audience!
Laura Ugolini
Filmmaker
ScreamFest was what I expected, and remembered film festivals to be. More then just a weekend, very professional, great people, good conversations, excellent films, swag, professional and well put together. I was so pleased with the experience, and this step in my career. Thankyou ScreamFest !!
Eric Castro
Filmmaker
It was an honor to have my film be selected by Screamfest! As a filmmaker, I felt this festival always kept me and my films best interest in mind and was just as happy to screen my film as I was honored to be a part of this festival. The communication between us was amazing and they always kept an open line of dialogue even months after the festival premiered. They really took the steps to make us filmmakers feel special and created a safe easy space for networking and chatting. They are professional, kind, and foster a tight knit community. I will definitely be submitting my next film and all my future works here. Thank you Screamfest!
Travae Davis
Filmmaker
Screamfest has been a big part of my filmmaking and film-going life since I moved to Los Angeles in 2005. I finally made a short that got accepted to the fest in 2010 and through it, met a manager and started on the path towards my first feature, which I completed in 2014. After years away, I finally got to go back in 2021 with another short and was thrilled to premiere at Screamfest. The lineups are always killer, the communication with filmmakers is great, and they continue to uncover yet to be seen horror gems. Wish I had something to submit every year!
Dan Riesser
Filmmaker
As a direct result of my Horror Thriller, THE DEVOURING, being selected as a SCREAMFEST Semi-Finalist, I was contacted by London Indie Producer, (and Horror fan), Ahmed Maasarani. He loved the script and hired me to write my first paid writing assignment, the Psychological Thriller, THE LAST CONVERSATION. - Semi-Finalist
Bradford Richardson
Screenwriter
Winning the Screamfest prize for Best Screenplay in 2006 was a huge turning point in my career as a writer. To that point, I'd worked mostly in advertising, had done a handful of low-budget (waaay low-budget) assignments and was a writer/producer at WWE. After winning the award, the winning script - CHILDISH THINGS - was optioned and I've booked four writing assignment. The first, STREET WARRIOR starring REDBELT's Max Martini, debuts on Spike TV this summer and another (a mini-series for Ion) is currently in production starring Christopher Lloyd. The two others are in development. All of this success stems directly from my success at Screamfest.
Alex Greenfield
Screenwriter
I won Best Screenplay in the Screamfest 2012 Screenplay Competition and it has provided me with some great exposure in the industry. Since winning I have received interest from agents, managers and I have even developed and written a horror spec with a creative executive who read my script because I had won. The Screamfest mixers have also been a great way to meet motivated, like minded film makers and has given me other opportunities to get involved with the horror film community. I look forward to many more years of Screamfests! I highly recommend getting involved.
Jeremy Christensen
Screenwriter
The L.A. Screamfest is a first class horror film festival. The films, features and shorts, are a great combination of the familiar and the obscure, the bizarre and the twisted. It's a must for all horror fans and filmmakers. And I'm not just saying that because my film won a coveted crystal skull award. - 2002 Best Animated Film Winner
Jurgen Heimann
Filmmaker
Screamfest LA was... a scream! Rachel and the rest of the gang put on a terrific festival, featuring great and unique horror films, and they really treat the filmmaker's right. Screamfest got my movie in the paper, set up interviews with loads of press, and even arranged a radio interview with a local station. I actually felt scary! The screening of Exorcist with William Friedkin was one of the coolest screenings I've been to. Screamfest makes the filmmakers totally accessible, including Mr. Friedkin, with whom I chatted after his screening. Screamfest goes all out to promote its films, the festival staff couldn't be friendlier, and the parties kick ass. The best genre film festival I've been to. Director - VAMPIRE CLAN
John Webb
Filmmaker
SCREAMFEST is a blast! A great time for horror fans and filmmakers. Grab your popcorn and your barf bag and get ready to scream! Screamfest is one of those rare festivals in Hollywood where filmmakers and fans come together to celebrate the gross not the weekend gross. You don't want miss a second of Screamfest; even if you watch it with your eyes closed.
Eli Roth
Filmmaker
Screamfest is one of the greatest contributors to the horror film industry. Rachel Belofsky's unrelenting dedication has created an astounding platform to showcase and launch emerging talented directors and writers in the horror genre. It's classy, it's bloody and a helluva a good time!
Sean Cunningham
Filmmaker
Screamfest is a great place to discover some of the most original voices in the horror genre. Many of the films are hard to find gems that often get overlooked at the other festivals around the world.
Roy Lee
Filmmaker
Some people live in fear, while others live to make films about it I prefer the latter group;
the slightly tortured, delightfully twisted, and maniacally brilliant folk. At Screamfest, I have the opportunity to meet them all. What a treat!
Stan Winston
Special Make-Up Effects Creator
Screamfest features the best of young, innovative and up-and-coming artists in the cinema of fantasy and horror. It scares me, and I'm Wes Craven! Check it out!
Wes Craven
Filmmaker
I love Screamfest. It is a pleasure to see so many genre fans getting a chance to work in the area they love.
Jeff Katz, CE
New Line Cinema
Screamfest LA consistently showcases some of the best new talent horror has to offer.
Mike Grady
Dimension Films
I have had success with this screenplay competition. I have had one script optioned as a result of my participation in Screamfest. Even though I was a finalist and not the winner, they really tried to get me introduced to industry professionals. I recommend Screamfest to writers and horror film lovers. -Screenplay Finalist
Anne Sagel
Screenwriter
In 2005 as a direct result of my Horror Thriller, THE DEVOURING, being selected as a SCREAMFEST Semi-Finalist, I was contacted by London Indie Producer, (and Horror fan), Ahmed Maasarani. He loved the script and hired me to write my first paid writing assignment, the Psychological Thriller, THE LAST CONVERSATION. -Screenplay Semi-Finalist
Bradford Richardson
Screenwriter
I have had the opportunity and privilege to be a part of this event two years now, and all of my experiences have been extremely positive. My first script, although it did not take first place, scored highly and I chose to attend the awards banquet. It was spectacular and fun to boot (the guest of honor was Wes Craven). My second submission also placed in the top 5 (always a bridesmaid it seems) and again I attended the banquet. I met some competitors which turned into friends as well as some solid contacts. As for my experience in the contest itself, I was notified once I had made semi-finalist and again when I made finalist. I was aware from the start that any work which did not make the semi-finalist circuit would probably not receive a confirmation email, so I can't really complain over that. Rachel Belofsky and the crew have done a terrific job at building this competition to become one of the forerunners in genre-specific (horror) competitions in the field. If you have a horror story I encourage you to submit your script to this competition and wish you the best of luck! -Screenwriter Finalist
RL Kienbaum
Screenwriter
The International Creative Management (ICM) has signed me up! Thank you ScreamfestLA! You helped make this possible. Dir. / D.P. / Writer of THE ECHO (SIGAW)
Yam Laranas
Filmmaker
As a direct result of this exposure, I landed a manager...and then a lawyer...and then an agent. Now I have one horror movie in pre-production called DAMNED which is being produced by Robert Fried (Godzilla, Boondock Saints, Rudy) and I'm currently doing re-writes on another screenplay, L.A. GOTHIC, with none other than the legendary John Carpenter. It is a dream come true to finally be working in the horror industry and for my (impending) success, I owe a great deal to Screamfest. I have no doubt that without the exposure of Screamfest, I would still be toiling away with nothing more to show from it than a stack of unread scripts. Thank you for everything and keep on kicking ass!!! - Screenplay Finalist
Sean keller
Screenwriter
Just wanted to thank you so much Rachel for letting RITES OF SPRING premiere at Screamfest. It really helped get Rites out there to the buyers. Thank you so much and can't wait to have another film in your festival. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118047561
Padraig Reynolds
Director RITES OF SPRING
CHILDISH THINGS was optioned by Larry Levinson Productions and is currently in development. The coolest thing is that they've become really into my work and I'm now writing a mini-series for them and the Sci-Fi Channel. Pretty cool, and as always, I owe great deal of that success to the attention Screamfest brought my way. Winning Screenwriter
Alex Greenfield
Screenwriter
Attending Screamfest was the best thing to happen for our indie film! So, once again, thank you for including us in the festival!
Thomas Aske Berg
Director of Vidar the Vampire/2017
The fact that my movie, a tiny independent production got so much attention, made possible that me, my actors and some people in my crew have all been contacted by representation agencies, directors, and casting directors across the US industry.
Issa Lopez
Director of TIGERS ARE NOT AFRAID
No other festival has such extensive worldwide genre programming. Screamfest is at the top of its game.
Craig Perry
Producer FINAL DESTINATION franchise
Screamfest is the 'Sundance of Horror!' There is no horror festival in the Nation that is larger and more respected than this one.
Brad Miska
Co-owner Bloody-disgusting.com
When all other festivals were rejecting PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, Screamfest was the first and only festival at the time that accepted us. We had a great premiere screening and got positive reviews as a result. Shortly after, we got the attention of CAA and many distributors. The rest, as they say, is history! But it all started at Screamfest! - Director of Paranormal Activity
Oren Peli
Filmmaker
Common Goal= HORROR
Screamfest Advisory Board
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