
Opening Date
January 5, 2026
Earlybird
March 31, 2026
Regular
June 30, 2026

Late
September 20, 2026
Notification Date
September 27, 2026
Event Date
October 15 – 16, 2026
SUBMIT YOUR FILMS FOR SEASON 3 NOW!
ABOUT US

Horror Haven Film Expo was created for the filmmakers who live and breathe the dark side of cinema. Horror has always belonged to the outsiders. The dreamers. The ones who build nightmares from nothing and turn limited resources into unforgettable terror. Our festival exists to celebrate that kind of creator. The artists who are not afraid to push deeper into the shadows and tell the stories that bigger studios run from.

Now entering our third season, Horror Haven has grown into a platform that seeks out original voices from across the indie horror world. We watch every submission with an open mind and a focus on vision. We do not judge films by budget or access. We judge them by the feeling they leave behind. The atmosphere. The imagination. The impact.

This season we are introducing the Horror Haven Award. This is the Festival Director's personal selection and is given to the project that captures the true spirit of the festival. It recognizes a film that stands out for its voice, its ambition, and its dedication to the craft of horror.

Horror Haven is not just another festival. It is a gathering place for horror creators who refuse to water down their ideas. A space where dark stories are welcomed, original visions are encouraged, and bold filmmaking is celebrated. Independent horror has always been the beating heart of the genre. Here, that heart has a home.
If you bring everything you have to your work, Horror Haven welcomes you.

2025 CATEGORIES & AWARDS
Horror Haven Film Expo honors the creators who shape the shadowed corners of independent horror. Each season we recognize films, scripts, and trailers that stand out through atmosphere, originality, and powerful storytelling. Our prizes support filmmakers while preserving the dark identity of our festival.
Below is the official prize lineup for Season 3.
BEST FEATURE FILM
The winner of Best Feature Film receives:
• Official Horror Haven trophy
• Official Winner Laurel
• Website and social media spotlight
• Priority distribution consideration from Blood Pact Films
• Free submission to Season 4
This award celebrates a feature that demonstrates bold vision, strong craft, and commanding use of the genre.
BEST SHORT FILM
The winner of Best Short Film receives:
• Official Horror Haven trophy
• Official Winner Laurel
• Website and social media spotlight
• Priority review for possible inclusion in a future Blood Pact anthology release
• Free submission to Season 4
This award recognizes a filmmaker who delivers an impactful and atmospheric story within a short runtime.
BEST SHORT SCRIPT
The winning short script receives:
• Official Winner Laurel
• Website and social media spotlight
• Free submission to Season 4
This award celebrates concise storytelling and powerful mood within a short script format.
BEST TRAILER
The winner of Best Trailer receives:
• Official Horror Haven trophy
• Official Winner Laurel
• Website and social media spotlight
• A filmmaker software prize from one of our partners
• Full feature article or spotlight post
• Free submission to Season 4
This award honors tone, pacing, sound, and the ability to create fear and intrigue in a condensed form.
THE HORROR HAVEN AWARD
Introduced for Season 3, this award is the Festival Director's personal selection. It is given to the film that best represents the heart and identity of Horror Haven.
The winner receives:
• Official Horror Haven trophy
• Official Winner Laurel
• Invitation to return as a featured filmmaker in Season 4
• Optional invitation to serve as a guest judge next season
This honor celebrates a project that lingers long after viewing and embodies the creative spirit of independent horror.
anding use of the genre.
EXCELLENCE IN SCORE
Awarded to the film that demonstrates exceptional use of music, mood, and atmospheric composition.
Selected from all submitted feature and short films for Season 3.
The winner receives:
• Official Horror Haven trophy
• Official Winner Laurel
This honor celebrates
creators who use sound to pull viewers deeper into the darkness.
EXCELLENCE IN PRACTICAL EFFECTS
Awarded to the film that showcases outstanding practical effects, makeup, creature work, or physical horror craftsmanship.
Selected from all submitted feature and short films for Season 3.
The winner receives:
• Official Horror Haven trophy
• Official Winner Laurel
This award celebrates the artistry behind the blood, the monsters, and the in-camera fear that define the genre.
OFFICIAL SELECTION PERKS
All Official Selections receive:
• Official Selection Laurel
• Website listing for the season
• Social media announcement
• Visibility across our festival network

OUR PARTNERS





