Festival start: 29 November 2025
Festival end: 30 November 2025
Welcome to a world where fear and creativity collide—welcome to Sinister!
Sinister isn’t just a film festival; it’s a celebration of the best in horror, where the paranormal and the macabre intertwine with art and imagination. Our festival is dedicated to the filmmakers and creators who push the boundaries of the genre, offering them a platform to showcase their unique visions.
Why Sinister is Unique?
Sinister is an international event that honors creativity and innovation in the horror genre. It’s where fear becomes an art form, and where filmmakers from around the world present their most chilling and impactful works.
Why Participate in Sinister?
1. A Celebration of Horror Cinema: At Sinister, we bring together established filmmakers and emerging talent from all over the globe. Our carefully selected program features not only the latest must-see releases but also hidden gems in independent horror. We offer a platform for both seasoned and new voices to be heard.
2. Screenwriting Contest: The written word is as powerful as the images on screen. Our screenwriting contest rewards the most creative and twisted minds who craft stories that stay with you long after the credits roll. If you have a terrifying story to tell, Sinister is the place to share it.
3. Music Video Contest: Horror doesn’t just live on screen—it echoes in music. Our music video contest celebrates the artists who blend sound and visuals to create atmospheric, chilling experiences. This contest honors the music videos that elevate horror and bring it to life in new ways.
4. Photography Contest: Horror is as much about the image as it is about the story. Our photography contest shines a spotlight on the photographers who capture the dark beauty of fear. From haunting portraits to eerie landscapes, we celebrate the still images that tell their own terrifying tales.
Sinister: Where Horror Meets Art.
More than just a festival, Sinister is a community where filmmakers and artists are valued and supported. Every selected participant gets a chance to share their journey and vision in Sinister Magazine, amplifying their voice in the world of horror.
We invite you to join us and become part of this unique event that celebrates the best in horror and creativity. Don’t miss the chance to be part of a festival that truly values its creators.
In addition to our main awards, we are proud to collaborate with our generous sponsors, who present additional special prizes. These awards offer further acknowledgment to the talent and dedication of those participating in Sinister. Our sponsors’ contributions add diversity and excitement, highlighting their support for the world of horror cinema and creativity.
Category: Feature Film
1. Best Feature Film – Sinister Award®
2. Best Director – Master of Horror®
3. Best Actor – Haunting Performance Award
4. Best Actress – Eerie Presence Award
5. Best Original Screenplay – The Nightmare Weavers Award
6. Best Adapted Screenplay – Twisted Tales Award
7. Best Cinematography – Spectral Lens Award
8. Best Film Editing – Chilling Cut Award
9. Best Production Design – Macabre Design Award
10. Best Costume Design – Cursed Attire Award
11. Best Makeup – Ghastly Transformations Award
12. Best Sound Design – Echoes of the Abyss Award
13. Best Original Score – Symphony of Shadows Award
14. Best Visual Effects – Nightmare Realism Award
15. Best Special Effects – Blood & Gore Award
16. Best Documentary – True Terror Award
17. Best Foreign Language Film – The Dark World Award
18. Best Film Soundtrack – Melodies of the Macabre Award
19. Best Monster Design (Short/Feature) – The Beast of Nightmares Award
Category: Short Film
1. Best Short Film – Sinister Award®
2. Best Director – Master of Horror®
3. Best Actor – Chilling Performance Award
4. Best Actress – The Haunting Presence Award
5. Best Original Screenplay – The Pen of Nightmares Award
6. Best Adapted Screenplay – Twisted Ink Award
7. Best Cinematography – Haunting Lens Award
8. Best Film Editing – Silent Terror Award
9. Best Production Design – Cursed Creation Award
10. Best Costume Design – Dark Wardrobe Award
11. Best Makeup – Gruesome Transformation Award
12. Best Sound Design – Echoes in the Dark Award
13. Best Original Score – Melody of Fear Award
14. Best Visual Effects – Nightmare Craft Award
15. Best Special Effects – Bloody Hands Award
16. Best Documentary – Dark Truths Award
17. Best Foreign Language Film – International Horror Award
18. Best Film Soundtrack – Sound of the Dark Award
19. Best Monster Design (Short/Feature) – The Beast of Nightmares Award
Category: Animation
1. Best Feature Animation – The Sinister Animated Vision Award®
2. Best Short Animation – The Sinister Animated Vision Award®
Category: Screenwrting
1. Best Screenplay (Unproduced) – Feature – The Dark Script Award
2. Best Screenplay (Unproduced) – Short Film – The Nightmare Script Award
Category: Music Video
Best Music Video – The Sinister Music Video Award
Category: Photography
Best Horror Photography – The Chilling Capture Award
Thank you for your interest in submitting your work to the Sinister Horror Film Festival 2025. We look forward to experiencing your creativity and vision in the world of horror. Please carefully review the following rules and terms before submitting your project.
1. Eligibility
• Sinister is open to filmmakers, screenwriters, music video creators, photographers, and creatives of all levels and backgrounds. There are no age restrictions, and international submissions are welcome.
• All horror-related genres are accepted, including but not limited to, horror, thriller, dark fantasy, sci-fi horror, and psychological horror.
2. Submission Guidelines
• All submissions must be in English or include English subtitles. Films not in English must provide a subtitle file.
• Each entry should adhere to its respective category guidelines (feature-length films, short films, screenplays, music videos, or photography). Please ensure that your entry meets the specified format and length requirements for each category.
3. Originality
• All entries must be original works created by the entrant and should not infringe on any copyrights or trademarks. Plagiarism and unauthorized use of third-party content are strictly prohibited.
4. Multiple Submissions
• Participants are allowed to submit multiple entries in different categories. Each entry will require a separate submission fee.
5. Entry Fees
• Submission fees apply for each entry. The fee structure may vary depending on the category and deadlines. Please refer to the Festhome page for current fees.
6. Submission Deadline
• Submissions must be received by the specified deadline. Late entries may not be considered.
7. Screening Rights
• By submitting to Sinister Horror Film Festival, entrants grant the festival the right to screen and promotetheir work during the festival. Sinister may also use submitted content for promotional purposes, including trailers, posters, and online content.
8. Judging and Awards
• All entries will be evaluated by a panel of qualified judges. Winners will be announced during the festival. The decisions of the judges are final.
• The Sinister Award, which recognizes the Best Horror Feature and Best Horror Short Film, is an exclusive and prestigious award that will be presented to the most outstanding works in the competition. In addition, there are multiple awards in various categories such as Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Music Video, Best Photography, etc.
9. Acceptance and Notification
• Acceptance notifications will be sent via email. If your submission is accepted, you will receive further instructions and details regarding the festival.
10. Code of Conduct
• Sinister is committed to maintaining a respectful, inclusive, and harassment-free environment. Any form of harassment, discrimination, or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.
11. Liability
• Sinister and its affiliates are not responsible for any loss, damage, or theft of submitted materials, or for any personal injuries or accidents that may occur during the festival.
12. Changes and Updates
• Sinister reserves the right to make changes to the rules and terms, as well as to the festival schedule, at any time. Participants will be informed of any updates as they occur.
13. By submitting your work to Sinister, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Rules and Terms.
We look forward to celebrating your creative contributions to the world of horror and imagination at Sinister Horror Film Festival 2025!
Short Film (horror, sci-fi, fantasy, thriller)
Short Films 59'<
Fee-8%
PRO 23%
Early20$18.4$
15.4$
15 Dec 25
Standard25$23$
19.25$
15 Aug 25
Late30$27.6$
23.1$
28 Oct 25
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
28 Oct 25
Save up
4.6$
Submit
The Short Film category honors the most chilling and innovative short films under 60 minutes. This category is open to all filmmakers working within horror, sci-fi, thriller, and fantasy. The goal is to showcase powerful stories that create lasting impressions, whether through visuals, sound, or narrative.
Feature Film (horror, sci-fi, fantasy, thriller)
Feature Films >60'
Fee-8%
PRO 23%
Early40$36.8$
30.8$
15 Dec 25
Standard50$46$
38.5$
15 Aug 25
Late60$55.2$
46.2$
28 Oct 25
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
28 Oct 25
Save up
9.2$
Submit
The Feature Film category celebrates the best in full-length films within the horror genre and its subgenres, including horror, sci-fi, thriller, and fantasy. This category is open to all filmmakers who have created a feature-length narrative (60 minutes or more) that pushes the boundaries of fear, imagination, and creativity.
Screenwriting (Feature)
Script / Pitch >90p
Fee-8%
PRO 23%
Early20$18.4$
15.4$
15 Dec 25
Standard25$23$
19.25$
15 Aug 25
Late30$27.6$
23.1$
28 Oct 25
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
28 Oct 25
Save up
4.6$
Submit
The Screenwriting (Feature) category is dedicated to recognizing the best horror, sci-fi, thriller, and fantasy screenplays for feature-length films. This category invites screenwriters to submit their original scripts, celebrating creativity and storytelling that elicits fear and wonder.
Screenwriting (Short Film)
Script / Pitch
Fee-8%
PRO 23%
Early10$9.2$
7.7$
15 Dec 25
Standard15$13.8$
11.55$
15 Aug 25
Late20$18.4$
15.4$
28 Oct 25
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
28 Oct 25
Save up
2.3$
Submit
This category focuses on the craft of writing in horror, sci-fi, thriller, and fantasy short films. Submissions should include original scripts that deliver gripping narratives in a shorter format, proving that terror can come in small but powerful packages.
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
28 Oct 25
Save up
9.2$
Submit
The Feature Animation category celebrates the fusion of horror and animation in feature-length films (60 minutes or more). This category welcomes all animation styles, including stop-motion, 2D, and 3D, that explore horror, sci-fi, thriller, and fantasy themes, bringing terror to life in long-form animation.
Short Animation (horror, sci-fi, fantasy, thriller)
Short and Feature Films 60'<
Fee-8%
PRO 23%
Early20$18.4$
15.4$
15 Dec 25
Standard25$23$
19.25$
15 Aug 25
Late30$27.6$
23.1$
28 Oct 25
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
28 Oct 25
Save up
4.6$
Submit
The Short Animation category focuses on animated short films under 60 minutes. Open to all animation styles, this category invites films that depict horror, sci-fi, thriller, and fantasy narratives in short-form, proving that even in animation, fear and imagination know no limits.
Music Video
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
PRO 23%
Early10$9.2$
7.7$
15 Dec 25
Standard15$13.8$
11.55$
15 Aug 25
Late20$18.4$
15.4$
28 Oct 25
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
28 Oct 25
Save up
2.3$
Submit
The Music Video category is dedicated to horror-themed music videos. This category celebrates the fusion of music and visual storytelling, with entries focused on the eerie, supernatural, and terrifying. Music videos can be in any style or genre, but must incorporate elements of horror, sci-fi, thriller, or fantasy.
Festhome holds accountable fees festivals by holding the payment of the fees of most newer festivals until they have viewed the submissions, held their festivals and other methods.
-8%
Festhome holds accountable fees festivals by holding the payment of the fees of most newer festivals until they have viewed the submissions, held their festivals and other methods. 