Deadlines
OCT 31, 2025Opens
MAR 1, 2026Early Bird
JUN 1, 2026Regular
JUL 1, 2026Final Call
About festival
DCP Required
Dark and Stormy Nights Film Festival
Celebrate independent horror filmmaking on the misty Washington Coast!
We support filmmakers! In addition to free admission to your film block, we will be providing FREE lodging for any filmmakers in attendance. We want to share our community with you and will be planning various activities throughout the weekend. See Rules & Terms below for details.
We are looking for "scary" in all of its forms: Horror-comedy, thriller, sci-fi, fantasy, slasher, ghosts, goblins, monsters, family reunions, terror, family friendly - as long as it's got a spooky or dark theme!
Learn more and see ALL the perks at https://www.darkandstormyllc.com/film-festival.
Festival Amenities
Airport TransportComplimentary HotelHotel DiscountsHotel HostingShuttle ServiceFilmmaker EventsQ&A SessionsComplimentary TicketsPriority SeatingFestival CatalogSocial Media SpotlightPress EventsAfter Parties
Accepted Content
Genres:
AnimationScience FictionmidnightHorrorMysteryThriller
Comedy
Sub-Genres:
MockumentaryPsychological ThrillerSilentSuspenseDark
Film Types:
NarrativeAnimation
Categories:
Digital MicrobudgetMicroMicrobudgetMicroshortShort Film
Submission Categories
Regular
Fee: $30·Deadline: July 1, 2026
PNW Local
WA, ID, OR, BC
Fee: $30·Deadline: July 1, 2026
Festival Team
JS
Jessica Sanders
Festival Director
Festival Rules
DCP Required
Film Language:
Non-English language films must include English subtitles.
Film Length:
Under 20 minutes
Format:
Films should be submitted in a digital format and if selected be able to provide a DCP or downloadable version in a format such as .mp4 or .mov for screening purposes. Festival staff will advise which format is required upon selection (we can assist with DCP creation for a minimal charge).
Late Submissions:
Submissions must be received by the specified deadline. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Multiple Submissions:
Multiple submissions are allowed, but each submissions will require its own entry fee.
Content Guidelines:
Films that contain pornographic or discriminatory content will not be accepted.
Copyright:
Submissions must be an original work, and the applicant holds the sole responsibility of copyright clearance of any copyrighted material in the film. By submitting your film you grant Dark and Stormy Nights Film Festival permission to screen it at the festival and use clips and stills from it for promotional purposes including print, video, audio, and new media.
Selection:
Submitted films will be reviewed and selected by a committee of judges.
Other:
Rules subject to change.
