A Night of Horror International Film Festival

A Night of Horror International Film Festival in Sydney is Australia's original genre-specific film festival. >> For the 2021 event the festival is calling for horror, thriller, fantasy, noir, science fiction, action, underground, western, and war, in the following categories: features, documentaries, shorts, animations, TV/web episodes, and H. P. Lovecraft-inspired shorts. << What began as a one-night short film event in 2007 (hence the festival’s name), has since become Australia's oldest and longest-running showcase of "nightmare" cinema from around the world. The festival remains dedicated to screening and promoting the work of new, independent filmmakers and screenwriters from Australia and abroad. Unlike many festivals, A Night of Horror pledges to program the majority of its lineup from cold submissions (i.e. films submitted by you - the independent filmmaker - through our open submission process). We never have, and never will program the majority of the festival's line-up with films sourced from sales agents, distributors, or other festivals. This helps ensure that you - the submitting filmmaker - have a far better chance of screening at A Night of Horror, than at many other festivals that accept cold submissions, but then turn around and disingenuously program the majority of their line-up from films sourced elsewhere. In our mission to showcase talented screenwriters, the festival also holds a screenplay competition for unproduced scripts, both features and shorts. Winning films and screenplays will be chosen by a jury of leading film and media professionals: Previous jury members have included Antony I. Ginnane (SPAA president, IFM World Releasing), Brian Trenchard-Smith (Director, THE MAN FROM HONG KONG, TURKEY SHOOT, DEAD-END DRIVE IN), Jon Dalgaard (Lionsgate), Neil Foley (Monster Pictures), Jason Di Rosso (ABC Radio National MovieTime), Simon Foster (Screen-Space.com), Stuart "Feedback" Andrews (Rue Morgue magazine), David Michael Brown (Empire magazine), and filmmakers Glenn Fraser, Rachele Wiggins, and Sue Brown. What the press have said about A Night of Horror: Dread Central: A Night of Horror was recently selected by a panel of industry experts (filmmakers, festival directors, and journalists) as one of The Best Horror Film Festivals in the World. www.dreadcentral.com/top-10-lists/364442/the-best-horror-festivals-in-the-world-2021/ Fangoria: "A festival of frights gorging itself on a diet of sinister submissions from local and international filmmakers, it’s the only one of its kind in Australia... an institution." Encore magazine: "Australia's first horror film festival ... recognises the past and gives the horror genre a platform for the future." Showtime Movie News: "If your taste runs into the darker side of life then you don't want to miss A Night of Horror Film Festival." FilmInk magazine: "Fans of all things dark and nasty are in for a real treat." Oz HorrorScope: "Sydney's first real horror film fest ... a fantastic event." People magazine: "Ghoulish gold for all tastes." Drum magazine: "Australia's leading horror movie event... renowned and successful." Praise from attending filmmakers: Ursula Dabrowsky (FAMILY DEMONS / INNER DEMON): "Back in 2009, I World Premiered my first horror film, Family Demons, at A Night of Horror before a large audience of horror fans. I was pretty nervous. I didn’t know what to expect. That night was one of the best nights of my life. I met like-minded people who are passionate and respectful about intelligent, thoughtful horror films. In short, I found my tribe. Without a doubt, A Night of Horror has been a massive leg up in terms of my success as an Australian horror filmmaker and as far as I’m concerned, will continue to be one of the best ways to start off a horror film’s journey into the world." John Michael Elfers (FINALE): "Saying that we had a tremendous experience at A Night of Horror would be an understatement. It was our World Premiere and exceeded our expectations. The screenings were packed, projection was gorgeous. We had a blast with the Q&A after our screening. A Night of Horror is committed to helping independent horror filmmakers find their audience and get noticed. They put our film in the hands of distributors, reviewers, and got us on the radio. The personal attention was unlike anything I've experienced at other festivals." Devin Goodsell (BORNLESS ONES): "Couldn't have had a better time premiering BORNLESS ONES at A Night of Horror! Big thanks to Dean, the amazing crew of the festival, and the other incredibly talented filmmakers! There were so many great films to see and having BORNLESS ONES be a part of it was truly an honour!" Deke Richards (TAX SHELTER TERRORS): "A Night of Horror Film Festival gave my co-directed documentary TAX SHELTER TERRORS the exposure it needed to get it to the next level. Immediately after its premiere, it received much praise and interest within the film industry, that it never had beforehand. I will never forget the professionalism and courtesy of the staff which gave this event that special touch. This is a great festival to get your film the right spotlight and I will always love to have any future project shown at this event!" Mike Masters (REEL ZOMBIES): “I’ve attended all types of festivals across the world with REEL ZOMBIES and my experience at A Night of Horror ranks amongst the best of them all. Festival Directors Dean Bertram and Lisa Mitchell do a great job and the festival is extremely well organized with a great selection of films making inclusion in the festival an honour. I look forward to seeing this festival continue to grow and expand and it will be at the top of the list for festivals to submit to with my next genre picture.” Steven Kastrissios (THE HORSEMAN): "A Night of Horror is fast becoming a major player on the Australian festival circuit. With so little support for local genre films, Dean Bertram and Lisa Mitchell's festival is a shining beacon of light. There's a genuine warmth and celebration of the films they support and it infects everyone who comes along." Seve Schelenz (SKEW): "I am very honored to have been accepted and showcased at A Night of Horror. I can't think of a better place than this outstanding festival to kick off the world premiere of SKEW... I had an unforgettable experience here and look forward to submitting my future films in a hope to have my World Premieres at A Night of Horror Film Festival." Damien Slevin (A BREAK IN THE MONOTONY): "I was very honoured to be a part of A Night of Horror International Film Festival. As a lover of the genre it is one festival that I would want to attend, let alone be included in. Horror could not have better representation than this gem of a festival. Aside from the great lineup of quality international and domestic films it would have to be about the friendliest and most welcoming fest I have attended. I look forward to next year’s lineup." Wade K. Savage (THE DEAD WASTES): "A Night of Horror is one of the most incredible horror festivals you will go to. Put together by people who love horror, it's an utter blast. Dean Bertram and the team are championing horror content in Australia, and what's more importantly, they are supporting true upcoming talent. If there is any horror festival you need to be apart of A Night of Horror is it. " Daniel Giambruno (THE NEW LIFE): “At last! A film festival in Sydney which is not about having cocktails with public servants!… unless they have been dead for three weeks and still willing to tear the Scream Queen’s dress into shreds… to start with! Horror and fantasy are without doubt the genres that give film directors the most creative freedom.” Lee After (THE LONE WOLF): "Going to A Night of Horror was definitely one of the best experiences of my life. From seeing awesome films to meeting the great people running the show, everything about the fest was fantastic! If you're thinking about going, don't think, just go!" David Curzon (OVERBOARD): “A welcoming and well organised festival with a great atmosphere.”