We require films initially be submitted via online screeners, i.e. private Youtube or Vimeo links. We no longer accept physical preview copies (i.e. DVDs).
In submitting your film or video to A Night of Horror International Film Festival you guarantee that you have all the relevant permissions, licenses and releases for your film or video to be screened in a public exhibition. You must have in your possession the permissions, licenses and releases for the submitted film or video's music, script, actors etc.
Entrants in the Horror Screenplay (Feature) or Horror Screenplay (Short) categories, must read and agree to the rules specific to these categories (see below).
There is no restriction as to the year that the submitted film was made, save that it has not been submitted to A Night Of Horror before.
If your film is selected to screen at the festival, you must supply us with a copy of your film in one of the following formats: Digital Media File or DCP. All Digital Media Files or physical DCPs MUST be received by the Festival no less than Six (6) Weeks before the Festival Opening Night.
While all care will be taken, we are unable to guarantee the safety of your hard drive, or film while in our possession, or in transit. If selected to screen at the festival, please do not send us a master copy, or your only copy of the film.
After the festival, hard drives containing digital files submitted to the festival for exhibition will be either returned to entrant or forwarded to another film festival as requested by entrant.
The Festival can only pay for return shipping. We do not pay for shipping both ways of DCPs, hard disks or film prints. If selected to screen at the festival, the filmmaker agrees to arrange for and pay for the shipping of DCP to the festival in Sydney, Australia. The filmmaker also agrees to provide necessary KDM for any DCP sent to the festival at no expense to the festival. These must also be received by the Festival no less than Six (6) Weeks before the Opening Night.
Additional publicity materials (stills, posters etc.) are highly encouraged if your film is selected to screen at the festival (although not required).
Please select the most relevant category for your film. You may choose between:
1. Horror Feature Films: Any feature-length film (45 to 140 minutes in duration) that deals with horror themes. (Documentaries are also welcome.)
2. Horror Short Films: Any live-action film (45 minutes or under in duration) that deals with horror themes. Your film can be narrative fiction, experimental, or even a documentary about horror.
3. Horror Short Animations: Any animated film (45 minutes or under in duration) that deals with horror themes.
4. Short Films based on, or inspired by, the writings of H. P. Lovecraft: Any film (including live-action, animated, narrative, experimental, or documentary as long as it is under 45 minutes in duration) that deals with, or is inspired by, horror author H. P. Lovecraft or his writings.
5. Horror TV/Web Series: For presentation of an episodic Made-For TV / Made for Web Series production with Web/Episodes no more than 45 mins in length., which deals with Horror Themes. Up to three (3) ‘episodes’ can be submitted. Each ‘series’ will be judged overall by all its submissions, although the number of episodes screened may vary due to time constraints.
6. Horror Screenplay (Feature): For feature-length screenplays between 60 and 130 pages in length.
7. Horror Screenplay (Short): For short screenplays that are less than 60 pages in length.
A panel of judges, selected by A Night Of Horror, will decide the winners of each of the above categories. The winners of each category will be announced at the festival's awards night. In all cases, the judges' decisions are final. Best Australian Short Horror Film is decided by audience vote at a Gala Night during the Festival. No proxy votes are accepted for this Award.
Entrants whose films are chosen for screening at the festival will be notified by Early March 2020. Entrants whose films are selected will be given one free ticket to the screening of their film at A Night of Horror International Film Festival 2020.
If you decide to attend the festival and require accommodation while in Sydney we are able to recommend local hotels/motels, but unable to cover any costs that your travel or accommodation may incur.
By submitting to the festival you agree to abide by and commit to the following statement: "I authorize A Night Of Horror to screen the film or video listed above, upon the film or video's acceptance in A Night of Horror International Film Festival. For the purpose of the screenings, I authorize A Night Of Horror to market the film or video in whatever manner they see fit to promote the Festival. I acknowledge that A Night Of Horror holds the screening rights of the above-listed film or video for A Night of Horror International Film Festival. I confirm that all other rights remain the sole property of myself and/or my nominated production company. I hereby confirm that all material used in the production of the film or video is the original work of myself or my nominated production company, or is work for which I or my nominated production company have obtained with releases, including but not limited to actors, performances and the musical score. I guarantee that I have obtained all the necessary permissions, licenses and clearances to enter this film or video into A Night of Horror International Film Festival and that the film and the screening of the film by A Night Of Horror, does not infringe the moral and ethical rights including copyright of any third party. I understand that my submission is in no way a guarantee of acceptance into A Night of Horror International Film Festival and that nobody representing A Night of Horror International Film Festival has guaranteed my acceptance into the festival prior to this submission. I have read and agree to the general rules, terms and conditions of A Night of Horror International Film Festival. I have also read and agree to any specific rules relating to the category that I am entering my film, video, or screenplay."
RULES AND CONDITIONS FOR SCREENPLAY COMPETITIONS
There is no restriction to the year that the screenplay was written.
The screenplay must not have been previously submitted to A Night Of Horror, or Fantastic Planet Film Festivals.
Screenplays must be submitted electronically online.
All screenplays should be formatted in accord with industry standards.
All Screenplays must be submitted in PDF format (no Word format, or Txt, submissions will be accepted).
Please include a paragraph synopsis.
No rewritten/corrected pages will be accepted once entry is received.
Screenplay must be in English.
Screenplay must not have been previously optioned, purchased, in production or produced.
Screenplays written as adaptations of other works must have secured rights before being submitted.
If a winning screenplay is the work of more than one writer, any prize or prizes will be split evenly amongst the writing team.
The entrant retains copyright to their screenplay.
The entrant agrees that he or she will never assert against A Night of Horror International Film Festival any claim or action based on plagiarism, infringement, confidential or fiduciary relationship, implied contract, idea theft, unfair competition or any other theory arising in connection with their submission to A Night of Horror International Film Festival, and the entrant understands that A Night Of Horror accepts no liability of any kind for the unauthorized use of all or part of such submissions by any person. In this regard, the entrant hereby absolutely releases and forever discharges A Night of Horror International Film Festival and its officers, employees, volunteers, judges, readers, affiliates, and associates, individually and collectively, of or from any and all claims, liabilities, damages, legal fees, expenses, debts, actions, and causes of action against Deadhouse Films or A Night of Horror International Film Festival of every kind whatsoever, now and in the future, in connection with the entrant's submission.