Genre: The goal of this competition is to make just one type of film. HORROR! All submitted films must fit the horror genre. Mixed genres (Horror/comedy, Horror/SCI-FI, etc) will be accepted and encouraged. Films that do not fit the horror genre will be disqualified from all awards, but will show at the screening event.
Required Elements: All teams must use the requirements(a prop, a specific cinematic technique and a line from a classic horror film) that are announced at the kickoff event. Within your credits you must indicate when the prop is used for the first time, when the cinematic technique is used for the first time, when the line from a classic horror film is used for the the first time, what the line is(in quotes) and the title of the movie.
Films that do not include all of these elements will not be eligible for awards.
Rating: The films are not to exceed the equivalent of an R rating as defined by the MPAA. The producers of the Frightfilm Competition reserve the right to remove a film from the screening event if it exceeds a rating in excess of R.
Length: Films must be no longer than 13 minutes including opening/closing credits. There is no minimum length. All films must end with the Frightfilm Competition Logo, which will be provided, for at least five seconds.
Time Period: The film-making period starts on July 28, 2024 at the end of the kickoff event and lasts until midnight on September 28, 2024.
Film Production: Pre-production may occur outside of the official time period. This includes script-writing, script timing, script breakdowns, location scouting, etc). All production of the film must take place during the contest period listed above. This includes casting, rehearsal, set design, shooting, editing, animation, FX creation, etc).
NO FOOTAGE MAY BE RECORDED OUTSIDE OF THE SCHEDULED COMPETITION TIME PERIOD.
Pre-recorded Elements: Certain pre-recorded elements may be used in the final film if the producers have proper permission. Music or sound FX libraries -Special FX shots -Company logo animations -Still photos used as props or graphics
Film Format: The film must be submitted as a 1920X1080, 24 fps, MP4/MOV file using the H.264 codec.
Pre-Program: All films must be submitted with the following pre-program elements: A 10 second silent slate with team name, film title, date, and length followed by two seconds of black .
Registration & Submission: Only one film(regardless of length) may be submitted for each entry/registration fee. Upload the film to your online drive/storage(Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, etc.) and send us a download link. Make sure you have granted us permissions to download the file.
Refund: A refund of 75% of the entry will available until 1 week prior to the July 28, 2024 kickoff.
Late Films: Films submitted after the deadline will be screened at the viewing event but will not be eligible for awards.
Release Forms: Your release forms(in PDF format only) must be submitted for all cast, crew, locations and music. Forms should be uploaded along with the final film. Films missing release forms will not be shown at any screening events.
Online Screenings: Teams may not post the films for public viewing via Youtube, Vimeo, etc. until after the awards event has completed. Any films found online prior to the screening event will be disqualified from receiving awards.
Screenplay entry info: Screenplays must be submitted as a PDF file only. (.fdr, .doc, .docx, .cltx, etc. will not be considered.) All submissions must have been written in English. For formatting visit How to Format a Screenplay.
Poster Competition entry info: Poster entries should be a PDF file only and have a pixel dimensions of 7200 x 10800 (300 DPI).
Trailer entry info: The trailer must be submitted as a 1920X1080, 24 fps, MP4/MOV file using the H.264 codec. The length may be up to 1 minute(60 seconds). It must include the Frightfilm Competition logo, date/time/location of premiere gala and the website(www.frightilmcomeptition.com).
Frequent Frighters' Club entry info: Submit your request indicating the previous four years and movie titles that you served as producer to info@frightfilmcompetition.com.
Frequent Frighters' Club members get a discounted entry every five years.
The following awards may be given in the following categories:
Best Film
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Editing
Best Special Effects
Best Original Music
Best Makeup
Best Direction
Best Screamplay
Best Cinematography
Best Sound Design
Best Poster
Best Trailer
Audience Choice(s)