Founded in 2008 here in Lexington, KY, the ScareFest has been operating for over 10 years. The ScareFest is an annual Horror, Paranormal & Fandom Convention held every year at the Lexington Convention Center with several thousand local, out-of-state & international attendees. The ScareFest is one of the largest of its kind in the country, bridging the horror and paranormal with also over 50,000 followers on social media. Every year we host celebrities, of the small and large screens, from the horror and paranormal world as well as local artists, businesses and entertainers. We have two running movie rooms going at all times and they are always full, plus we have partnered with the historical Kentucky Theater in downtown Lexington for the past decade so if you want a lot of people to see your hard work we want to help.
The ScareFest Film Festival is a 4-day celebration of the macabre and all things horror. We are an event ran by fans for the fans, bringing terror from around the United States into Kentucky. We love to support independent filmmakers, students, & studios looking to showcase their work and anyone who is bringing innovation and excitement to the horror genre. Independent films and low budget masterpieces are central to the Horror genre and so that’s what we to showcase to our audiences.
We accept films from any genre of horror… SPLATTER, SLASHER & SUPERNATURAL! Comedy horror, documentary, dark sci-fi… if it’s got blood and guts or will keep you on the edge of your seat then we want to showcase your work!
Our attendees want to see original and pioneering films and shorts. We are looking for films that haven’t been released, not available on YouTube or DVD and around 1-2 years old preferably. We are looking for new and fresh works to show our audiences and that’s what they’ve come to expect. Also works from students & our local indie filmmakers are always wonderful and we love to promote our Kentucky Horror Filmmakers!!
All film submissions chosen will automatically receive free VIP passes for the weekend which will gain you early entrance to meet your favorite celebrities & browse our exhibitor halls. It also gets you into out VIP Party held on Friday night with music, drinks and all-around great time. We also offer discounted booths to our entries so you can sale merchandise & actively promote your film to our thousands of attendees as they pass by.
Awards will be given in the following categories:
• The 1st ever ScareFest Bluegrass Abomination Award: The film submission that by panel decision is the most innovative and creative; the winning submission will be based off story, directing, visual effects & emody the indie horror film genre.
• Best Horror Comedy
• Audience Choice
• Best Documentary
• Best Supernatural/Ghost Story
• Best Screenplay
• Best Director
• Best Actor & Actress
• Scariest Moment
• Best Special Effect
Each winner will receive a statuette at our awards ceremony to be held on the final day of the event. Winners will also be featured on all social media same day, as well as ongoing promotion through all our social media platforms and website. Main Prize Winners will be invited to be guests on ScareFest Radio, our weekly podcast. Main prize winner will also have their film featured during the event at the historic Kentucky Theater and promoted with proceeds going to the winner.