New York City Horror Film Festival Screenplay Competition

New York City Horror

Contact

158 Arthur Street
Hillsdale, NJ 07642
201-666-6729 (voice)

Web:
https://nychorrorfest.com/
Email:
submissions@nychorrorfest.com

Contact: Ronnie Hein, Festival Director

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Objective

New York City's longest running horror film festival. Established by MooDude Films CEO / Producer / Director / Michael J. Hein in 2001. The NYCHFF is a four-day event that takes place each December in New York City. The NYCHFF has grown to be a world recognized event, with industry, filmmakers, and press attention from around the globe. The Hein Family is committed to keeping the festival alive in memory of the truly missed and loved founder Michael J Hein. The festival is competitive, screening approximately 50-60 films each year.

SCREENPLAY COMPETITION
Seeking unproduced short and feature horror, horror-comedy, thriller, dark comedy or sci-fi screenplays. The goal is to find scripts that read well on the page and have the scares and sensibilities we often look for in the produced film submissions and official selections that screen. Show More

Deadline/Entry Fees

Deadline	Date Days till:	Entry Fee
Very Early	February 15, 2025	$41 (short) $47 (feature)
Early	March 15, 2025	$44 (short); $51 (feature)
Regular	June 15, 2025 46	$59 (short); $62 (feature)
Final	September 1, 2025 124	$69 (short); $73 (feature)

Submit Screenplays and Films via Filmfreeway.com/NewYorkCityFilmFestival.

Notification: Selection: October 15, 2025 / Winners: December 7, 2025

Eligibility

18 and over.

Rules

Eligibility Requirements:

Unproduced status will be one of the factors considered when determining a screenplay’s inclusion in the New York City Horror Film Festival. World, U.S., East Coast. Feature film or shorts screenplays must not have had any commercial, theatrical, TV, internet or festival screenings on the east coast within 6 months of the NYCHFF. Screenplays must not have had any commercial, theatrical, television or internet play in the United States. Please use our Script Submissions Page on FilmFreeway to submit your materials.
Length: Feature screenplays (85-120 pgs.) / Short screenplays (1-30 pgs.)

Note: There are no fee waivers or discounted entry fees available for this festival.

Awards

Best Unproduced Short Screenplay
Best Unproduced Feature Screenplay

Screenplay Finalists may receive Complimentary Passes to the film festival.

Winners receive an official New York City Horror Film Festival plaque