The Eerie Horror Fest is now accepting submissions for the 2023 festival, to be held October 4-7 in Erie, Pennsylvania at the historic Warner Theatre.
Films and Pitch materials can be submitted until the late deadline July 31, 2023 via FilmFreeway.com/EerieHorrorFest, the international standard for accredited film festivals.
CATEGORIES & EARLYBIRD SUBMISSION FEES
Narrative Feature Film: $30
Narrative Short Film: $15
Narrative Pitch Competition: $75
Documentary Feature Film: $30
Documentary Short Film: $15
Each selected feature film and pitch competition project will receive hotel accommodations for the duration of the festival (1 free room per film/project). Pitch Competition finalists must attend, in person, to present their project to our industry panel of judges.
Films that spend 60% or more of their budget in Erie and/or Crawford Counties in Northwestern Pennsylvania are eligible to receive a fee waiver. Projects must be registered with the Greater Erie Film Office prior to submission to receive the waiver code. Contact the Eerie Horror Fest for details.
TIMELINE
Earlybird Deadline: March 31
Regular Deadline: June 30
Late Deadline: July 31
Notification Date: September
Event Date: October 4-7
AWARDS AND PRIZES
Each selected feature film and pitch competition project will receive hotel accommodations for the duration of the festival (1 free room per film/project).
BEST OF THE FEST – $1,000 cash awarded to best Feature or Short Narrative or Documentary film. Plus a “Skullie” award designed by “Monster” Mark Kosobucki.
PITCH COMPETITION WINNER – Consulting package from Blood Oath*: 2 sessions/1 hour each to discuss the project and give development notes with the possibility of becoming a Blood Oath project. Plus a “Skullie” award designed by “Monster” Mark Kosobucki.
NEW BLOOD – Awarded to a First-time Feature or Short film director(s) – “Skullie” award designed by “Monster” Mark Kosobucki.
BEST FEATURE and BEST SHORT – “Skullie” award designed by “Monster” Mark Kosobucki.
*Blood Oath is a curated group of like-minded, passionate experts in independent film, with an emphasis on genre filmmaking. For more information: www.jointhebloodoath.com
ABOUT EERIE HORROR FEST
The Eerie Horror Fest includes four days of selected short and feature length films, celebrity meet-and-greets, cast and crew Q&As, panel discussions, a vendor hall, and receptions, all in the beautiful historic Warner Theatre in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Eerie Horror Fest recent guests include John Adams and Toby Poser of Wonder Wheel Productions (Hellbender, The Deeper You Dig), Michael Biehn (Aliens, Terminator), David Naughton (An American Werewolf in London), Carter Smith (The Ruins, Swallowed, Bugcrush) Mark Patton (A Nightmare on Elm Street Part II, Swallowed, Scream, Queen!) Courtney Gains (Children of the Corn, The ‘Burbs) John Franklin (Children of the Corn, The Addams Family) John Philbin (Children of the Corn, Return of the Living Dead), and Fritz Kiersch (Children of the Corn, Tuff Turf).
Contact
:quality(85):upscale()/2026/03/03/765/n/1922564/0b94541a69a718b304a9e1.72082455_.png "Feel-Good Street Style: How Our Editors Wear UGGs in 2026")
:quality(85):upscale()/2026/02/25/940/n/1922564/9f3e52c1699f6af941f710.31293332_.png "'90s Grunge Is Back, Plus 8 Other Fall 2026 Fashion Trends to Know")
:quality(85):upscale()/2026/02/18/893/n/1922564/857ece5a69962087501ab8.98904531_.jpg "Everything to Know About the \"Love Is Blind\" Engagement Rings")
