The 90 Best Genre Film Festivals on Earth
The top 90 best horror film festivals and genre programs in 2025/2026, as voted by over 30 industry experts.
Welcome to the world’s top genre film festivals, voted for by the world’s top experts. And, for the first time ever, the list includes the world’s best fantastic and horror programs of general (nongenre) festivals! I got super excited when Mary Beth McAndrews accepted my proposal to put this together as a guest editor, and won’t deny that I got a bit ambitious and tried to gather the biggest and most relevant panel of experts I could think of.
I’m very grateful that so many of them accepted the invite: lead programmers from both established festivals such as TIFF, Tribeca, SXSW, Sitges, Fantasia or Fantastic Fest, as well as indie festivals, studio executives, distributors, sales execs, journalists/critics, and of course acclaimed filmmakers with significant festival experience. Check out the mosaic overview below and click here to learn more about each expert!
Meet the Panelists (alphabetically by surname)
Methodology
Each panelist nominated five to ten genre festivals they considered to be the best, as well as five to ten genre-themed programs in more general festivals, keeping in mind to include festivals from all over the world. They also sent me a couple of phrases about each festival. Everything was submitted independently, with panelists unaware of each other’s picks. They knew their votes would remain private and their feedback anonymous. Some panelists submitted more than 10 festivals, for which half a vote was assigned. The festivals with the highest number of votes made the list!
To keep the collaborative spirit among festivals, while also valuing the experts’ input, the exact number of votes each festival received won’t be disclosed. Instead, we used general ranges to allow alphabetical listing within each range: over 20 votes (top 3 festivals/programs), 10-19 votes (top 8), 5-9 votes (top 20), 3-4 votes (top 40), and last but certainly not least, 1.5-2 votes (top 90). Multiple genre programs within the same festival are listed together based on their cumulative vote count.
Once the list was locked, I reached out to festivals to get their insights. Most of the photos are from their latest edition (2024 or 2025) to get an up-to-date feel of the event.
Note:
General festivals received votes specifically for their horror/fantastic program blocks/selections, and not for the festival overall. Hence why, for example, a huge festival like Cannes isn’t listed higher than the top 20—its Midnight sidebar may not be as popular among genre enthusiasts as the Midnight counterparts at TIFF or Sundance. Or the enormous Berlin and Venice film festivals in the top 40. It’s because they don’t have a specific genre section, and just include a limited number of genre films in their general lineups. Same about all the other general fests in this list.
Top 3
Genre film festivals and programs that received more than 20 votes from our expert panelists, ordered alphabetically
Fantasia International Film Festival
Montreal, Quebec, Canada, July 17-August 3, 2025 | fantasiafestival.com/en
“Fantasia is quite literally a perfect film festival,” says one panelist, and the high praise is backed by virtually every other voter. Now nearing its third decade, Montreal’s Fantasia stands as the longest and most expansive genre fest in North America, running for an unparalleled three weeks each summer and remaining, in the words of another voter, “the wise elder you bow before in humble reverence.”
“It started with a strong focus on Asian cinema but has grown into a huge platform for genre films from every continent,” wrote one panelist. Its lineup blends big studio premieres with fantastic indie gems—a combination that’s proven successful. “You’d be hard-pressed not to find something that’s your jam in its immensely eclectic programming,” another expert noted.
The festival is a full-on genre ecosystem, complete with premieres, industry events, panels, and its renowned co-production market, Frontières, credited with bringing to life films like Raw. As one panelist put it, “Fantasia is the gold standard.”
The 2024 edition was stacked, hosting the World Premieres of Chris Stuckmann’s Shelby Oaks, Ant Timpson’s Bookworm, Toby Poser & John Adams’ Hell Hole, and Eugene Kotlyarenko’s The Code, among others. Fantasia also continued its tradition of honoring icons, presenting career awards to Mike Flanagan, Vincenzo Natali, and André Forcier. From live podcast tapings to artist talks, Fantasia offers immersive engagement that few festivals can match.
As for what’s to come, artistic director Mitch Davis is keeping surprises under wraps. But, he promises “a walloping three-week celebration of the eccentric and the unclassifiable where risks are always rewarded—for audiences and filmmakers alike.”
SITGES – International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia
Sitges, Catalonia, Spain, October 9-19, 2025 | sitgesfilmfestival.com/en
“Sitges is the godfather of genre film festivals,” one panelist proclaimed—a sentiment echoed by nearly every other voter. The Festival Internacional de Cinema Fantàstic de Catalunya is the oldest and arguably the most prestigious genre event in the world, and it shows no signs of slowing down.
“Sitges is the granddaddy of them all,” confirms another expert. “Elite programming, all-night discos, and enthusiastic Euro-genre lovers with a seaside resort atmosphere make Sitges a must,” adds one voter. “Attending Sitges is like going on a vacation,” writes another. “Amazing atmosphere, great filmmaker encounters and fantastic food.” The town becomes a genre utopia.
Yet the festival set against the sun-soaked backdrop of a beautiful coastal town near Barcelona is more than a genre celebration: it’s pure cinema. “Legit red carpets in a dream-like setting with likely the most rabid fans in the world. This is a fest where lines will be wrapped around the block for 1 AM screenings. There is nothing quite like Sitges,” said one panelist.
The 2024 edition saw the rise of genre giants like The Substance and Terrifier 3, while also spotlighting emerging voices like Destry Allyn Spielberg with her debut, Please Don’t Feed the Children. It also honored genre royalty, giving awards to Geoffrey Rush, Mike Flanagan, and Heather Langenkamp, and celebrated Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala’s The Devil’s Bath with jury accolades.
For its upcoming 2025 edition, Sitges will shine a spotlight on comedy as a key element in understanding horror and fantasy, including a major tribute to Stuart Gordon’s Re-Animator, exactly 40 years after it won Best Film at Sitges. Expect the festival to once again overflow with the weird, the bold, and the unforgettable.
Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF): Midnight Madness & Strange Cuts
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, September 4-14, 2025 | tiff.net/films?series=midnight-madness / tiff.net/events/short-cuts-strange-cuts
Midnight Madness
Described as “the best of the majors when it comes to curation and programming,” TIFF’s Midnight Madness continues to be a tastemaker, premiering films that define the genre conversation for the year ahead. “If a film plays at Midnight Madness, it has come a long way and achieved real success,” points out one voter. For many filmmakers, it’s the ultimate platform for genre premieres—and a badge of honor. As one panelist said, “Films shown here spread rapidly all over the world.”
Yet “Midnight Madness shares more DNA with ‘70s drive-ins than a Santa Monica screening room,” one panelist remarks. It captures the electric, cult-film spirit of this long-revered genre program block within one of the world’s most prestigious film festivals. “Its ravenous and rowdy audience can rival the best anywhere,” says another expert.
“The programming is always twisted and delightful,” noted another panelist, “and I always look forward to their selections.” The 2024 edition opened with the North American premiere of Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance, a body-horror satire starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley. The film went on to win the Midnight Madness People’s Choice Award, and later attracted no less than four Oscar nominations and a win for Makeup and Hairstyling.
Other highlights included Joseph Kahn’s sci-fi/horror satire Ick, Thibault Emin’s body-horror romance Else, and Kenichi Ugana’s punk-rock horror The Gesuidouz. The lineup also featured Dead Mail by Joe DeBoer and Kyle McConaghy, Escape from the 21st Century by Yang Li, and the found footage sensation It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This by Rachel Kempf and Nick Toti, who vowed to never release the movie online.
Strange Cuts
TIFF expanded its genre playground in 2024 with Strange Cuts, a new spin-off of the Short Cuts program dedicated to “the wild children of short-form storytelling.” From animated fever dreams like Nicolas Gebbe’s The Sunset Special 2 to bone-chilling experiments in fear like Joyce A. Nashawati’s Never Have I Ever, Strange Cuts has quickly established itself as a vital new space for genre shorts to shine. The inaugural edition also premiered Matty Crawford’s Stomach Bug (later a BAFTA nominee) and included bold visions like ishkwaazhe Shane McSauby’s The Beguiling.
Together, Midnight Madness and Strange Cuts now form a powerhouse double-punch for genre fans — one that thrives on unpredictability, embraces innovation, and outright delivers.
Top 8
Genre film festivals and programs that received between 10 and 19 votes from our expert panelists, ordered alphabetically
Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN)
Bucheon, South Korea, July 3-13, 2025 | bifan.kr/eng
Now approaching its 30th edition, the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival stands tall as Asia’s premier destination for genre films. As one panelist put it, “BIFAN is, undoubtedly, the Asian trendsetter in horror and fantasy cinema,” praised equally for its industry clout, expansive program, and bold innovation. “A fundamental pillar for connecting genre cinema with Asia and essential for projecting the industry beyond its geographical boundaries,” another expert noted.
The focused passion of the programmers is frequently cited as the festival’s core strength. “They surgically select the best for Asian audiences,” said one panelist, and that commitment shows in the festival’s year-round impact.
BIFAN doesn’t just show films—it pushes boundaries. Its 2024 edition leaned into radical innovation, from immersive cinematic experiences using XR and VR, to a special spotlight on AI’s role in filmmaking through the pioneering BIFAN+AI program, a field that few other festivals dare to touch (some outright ban AI films). Meanwhile, its Expanding Frame section pushed cinematic language to new limits, exploring genre through hybrid storytelling and transdisciplinary forms.
The festival is also increasingly a hub for industry networking and project development, thanks to its filmmaker pitch program and forward-thinking panels. “For years, it’s been one of the best destinations for genre lovers, with a strong focus on Asian genre cinema and its global promotion,” summed up one voter.
Bonus: It’s free to submit! Although hard to enter for non-Asian films, “for any filmmaker, cracking the Asian market is a dream,” one panelist proclaimed.
Fantastic Fest
Austin, Texas, US, September 18-25, 2025 | fantasticfest.com
Described by panelists as “pure madness,” Fantastic Fest is arguably the largest genre film festival in the US, with a high number of elite premieres in a wild environment. “Upon arrival at Austin’s Alamo Drafthouse, you are indoctrinated into the Fantastic cult,” said one panelist. “Insane programming, a thing called the debates (think WWF meets cinema debate club) and on-site tattoos,” it’s as much an experience as it is a festival.
The 2024 edition proved that point in full force. Massive premieres came with even bigger names: Halle Berry, Will Ferrell, Harmony Korine, Alexandre Aja, and Sebastian Stan were just a few of the high-profile guests in attendance. Meanwhile, SpectreVision launched its podcast network on-site, including Mike Flanagan’s Director’s Commentary featuring guest Jennifer Kent. Circus acts took over the halls, and a themed party hinted at the madness of what’s to come.
That would be the 2025 edition: Fantastic Fest’s 20th anniversary. Expect bigger premieres, bigger guests, and a full embrace of the fest’s love for the eccentric, the unruly, and the unexpected. The festival will lean into a medieval theme and promises “especially epic parties,” but the core remains the same: a sharp eye for programming and curation. It’s not easy to get in, but “if you find yourself accepted into the festival’s inner circle, you could likely be on your way to bigger and better things for your career,” one expert stated.
Above all, Fantastic Fest is a filmmaker-driven environment where creators mingle with audiences in packed, passionate screenings. “Great programming, but perhaps an even greater sense of community since the entire festival takes place in one single venue,” as one expert expertly pointed out.
Sundance Film Festival: Midnight & Midnight Shorts
Park City, Utah, US, January 22-February 1, 2026 | festival.sundance.org/program/categories / festival.sundance.org/program/short-info
Sundance might be best known for championing prestige dramas and breakout indie auteurs, but among genre insiders, its Midnight sections hold a mythic status. “Sundance is the most important platform among the Big 5 festivals to introduce genre cinema to the world,” says one panelist. “We all await its Midnight selection—and success there is a crowning achievement,” another panelist confirms.
A panelist shared, “A ridiculously competitive program to try and get into, but one of the reasons it stands out is that the bar is simply that high to get in.” Indeed, while getting into Sundance is notoriously competitive, the rewards can be monumental. “All industry eyes, and fans in the know, are trained on the Sundance Midnight screenings each year,” another expert observed. “Known to premiere future classics like Hereditary, Mandy, and The Babadook, Sundance is still the industry’s big hitter for genre content.”
“Sundance is almost impossible to get into and the playground of Hollywood producers and studios,” admitted one expert. “But there’s no arguing its preeminent ability to knight the globe’s next round of must-see horror.” One voter added, “Perhaps due to its location on the calendar, Sundance has the honor of having discovered dozens of cult filmmakers and films.”
A Sundance Midnight premiere is indeed a career-altering launchpad. From intimate psychodramas to outlandish splatterfests, the section continues to deliver not only conversation starters but legacy-makers. Expect the next cult classic to rise from here—and don’t be surprised if it’s the most talked-about horror film of the year.
SXSW Film & TV Festival: Midnighter & Midnight Shorts
Austin, Texas, US, March 12-18, 2026 | sxsw.com/festivals/film
For some, SXSW is a tech conference. For others, it’s a music scene. But for genre lovers, its Midnighter and Midnight Shorts programs are unmissable. As panelists put it, “a consistently unique selection of independent and slightly offbeat genre films” shines in front of packed, passionate audiences.
Truly, its Midnighter program has launched countless films and filmmakers that went on to be huge fan favorites, yet SXSW also programs a good amount of genre movies beyond just the Midnighters — from Headliners to Competition selections—making it arguably the largest and most indie-friendly genre celebration of discovery among the general prestige festivals. The 2025 edition was stacked: The Surrender, Good Boy, Redux Redux, Descendent, and the mockumentary Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie were all world premieres that secured distribution after their debut.
Meanwhile, on the short film side, Stomach Bug continued its winning streak after claiming the Midnight Shorts prize, and one panelist didn’t mince words: “SXSW is the best of the majors when it comes to genre shorts programming as a section. Many of the best genre shorts on the circuit get their initial attention via SXSW.” One of the most famous alumni? “Parker Finn, whose short Laura Hasn’t Slept was discovered at SXSW and became the feature franchise hit Smile,” informs the panelist. That’s the kind of leap this festival is known for—from midnight screening to box office sensation.
Whether it’s horror, sci-fi, or the just plain strange, SXSW has become a key launchpad for genre visionaries, many of them coming from indie backgrounds, and its midnight blocks remain one of the most vital barometers for where genre cinema is headed next.
Tribeca Festival: Escape from Tribeca
New York City, US, June 4-15, 2025 |tribecafilm.com/escape-from-tribeca
Tribeca’s support for genre cinema has steadily grown over the years, but in 2025, it made a defining and bold leap. The festival merged its former Midnight and Escape from Tribeca program blocks to form a newly expanded beast—and genre lovers took notice. “Tribeca’s support for genre has been blasted to the next level,” exclaimed one panelist.
The result is one of the most ambitious and unpredictable genre programs on the international festival circuit. With a carefully curated lineup of 11 events that span world premieres, deep-cut retrospectives, and major anniversary screenings, the new Escape from Tribeca feels less like a program and more like a full-blown statement. “Tribeca knows how to include independent authors from all over the world in its selection,” one expert wrote. “Its view of the genre is much broader, and the selection always features something unexpected.”
The 2025 edition includes the World Premieres of Tina Romero’s Queens of the Dead, RZA’s brutal revenge thriller One Spoon of Chocolate, and Peter Hall & Paul Gandersman’s faux-doc cosmic horror Man Finds Tape. Plus historic retrospectives, among them a 25th anniversary screening of American Psycho with director Mary Harron attending, and a 50th anniversary tribute to Shivers, marking David Cronenberg’s first-ever Tribeca appearance.
With Tribeca’s muscle behind them, co-programmers Matt Barone and Jonathan Penner aim for Escape to “serve up an unpredictable feast of the absolute best of genre cinema’s past, present, and future.” Previous editions have hosted the world premieres of Suitable Flesh, Come to Daddy, and A Wounded Fawn, while spotlighting classics such as The Unknown, followed by a panel on disability representation in horror.
Top 20
Genre film festivals and programs that received between 5 and 9 votes from our expert panelists, ordered alphabetically
Beyond Fest
Los Angeles, California, US, September 25 – October 7, 2025 | beyondfest.com
Held annually in Los Angeles and dubbed “the highest attended North American genre fest” by two voters, Beyond Fest has rapidly carved out a reputation as a true genre party, powered by fans and embraced by legends. The fest “specializes in special legacy screenings mixed with premieres of the latest genre hits,” informs one panelist.
Another expert described it as “a sister festival to Fantastic Fest”, a comparison backed by yet another voter who said, “This, alongside Fantastic Fest, are the two US-based genre festivals that you want to try and World Premiere.” Other panelists lauded Beyond Fest for its “remarkable reach and breadth,” its “supreme short film programming,” and its “top-tier talent” showcased in some of LA’s best venues like The Egyptian and the Aero.
2024 saw a staggering array of events, including a career tribute to Kiyoshi Kurosawa, an all-day Sam Raimi celebration, a retrospective with Guy Maddin, and a triple feature with Kyle MacLachlan. The lineup spanned from studio darlings like Anora and Terrifier 3 to indie favorites like A Desert, A Last Sacrifice, and Night Call, all screened free to the public thanks to Neon.
“Created by fans, for fans,” Beyond Fest promises to stay gloriously gonzo in 2025, bringing more reunions, retrospectives, special guests, and edge-pushing premieres to the City of Angels.
Brooklyn Horror Film Festival
New York City, US, October 16-25, 2025 | brooklynhorrorfest.com
“Spry, focused, and grounded in the streets with its eyes on the cosmos, this festival is a gift,” wrote one panelist about Brooklyn Horror Film Festival, which “has emerged as the premiere genre fest for NYC and the Northeast region of the USA.” One voter said, “Great events for filmmakers to connect and a chance to see excellent horror films before they find distribution.”
Another panelist put it more bluntly: “If you don’t like having fun at your film festivals, then you should sit this one out.” Brooklyn Horror is a festival where “you’ll laugh and holler and shake in your seats next to your new best friend,” and where horror fans and filmmakers gather for “wicked darling” premieres, wild sidebars, and the best lobby Q&As in town.
“Joseph Hernandez and his team know how to put their programming together,” says one expert. The 2024 edition opened with Dead Mail, centered around Animale, and closed with The Rule of Jenny Pen, while also celebrating Larry Fessenden with the Leviathan Award. It boasted a strong international presence with sidebars on Spanish horror and vampires, and featured over 20 major premieres.
The 2025 edition will be Brooklyn Horror’s tenth, and they’re going big, expanding from 8 days to 10, “for what will surely be the best edition yet.” With the kind of energy that makes horror communal, not just cinematic, this one’s a must for any genre diehard.
Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFFF)
Brussels, Belgium, April 2026 | bifff.net
One of Europe’s rowdiest, most beloved, and oldest genre gatherings, Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival—affectionately BIFFF—is part horror con, part cinephile utopia, and all madness. “A top-tier festival on the European circuit,” panelists noted, praising its “lively audience” and its legacy as a “must-attend experience in Europe for lovers of fantasy in all its forms.”
“The festival has one of the most raucous and engaged genre-loving crowds in the circuit, if not the world,” says one voter. And 2024 was another banner year, with Danny Boyle giving a masterclass and being knighted in the Order of the Raven alongside Christophe Lambert, Paco Plaza, and Christophe Gans. BIFFF also staged its famed Vampire Ball, celebrated its Future Frights focus, and hosted the 9th edition of the BIF Market—the only genre market in the Benelux.
With its 44th edition planned for April 2026 and the 10th anniversary of the BIF Market on the horizon, BIFFF looks to keep expanding its singular blend of the bombastic and the brilliant—a glorious temple of chaos for genre lovers from across the globe.
Cannes Film Festival: Midnight Screenings, Directors’ Fortnight & Fantastic 7
Cannes, France, May 2026 | festival-cannes.com/en / quinzaine-cineastes.fr/en / marchedufilm.com/programs/fantastic-7
While Cannes is best known for its glitz, red carpets, and Palme d’Or contenders, its genre presence does matter. The festival’s Midnight Screenings sidebar and especially Directors’ Fortnight parallel section have long served as key launching pads for auteur-driven horror and fantasy fare. “Although smaller in scale, Cannes’ Midnight Screenings carry tremendous prestige and have highlighted significant crossover genre works that bridge art-house and genre film,” writes one panelist.
The 2025 Directors’ Fortnight (Quinzaine des Cinéastes) embraced genre with selections like Sean Byrne’s Dangerous Animals, Félix Dufour-Laperrière’s Death Does Not Exist, and Julia Kowalski’s Her Will Be Done —further proof that horror and the fantastic are well and alive in Cannes.
Lesser known yet equally impactful for the genre world is Fantastic 7, a rising Cannes platform that is quietly becoming a powerhouse for emerging talent. A joint initiative between Marché du Film and SITGES, Fantastic 7 selects seven leading genre festivals from around the globe to each endorse a standout work-in-progress. These projects are presented during a live pitching session at the Marché, drawing investors, distributors, and sales agents from across the industry.
In 2025, the Fantastic 7’s partner festivals included SITGES, BIFAN, SXSW, POFF Tallinn Black Nights, Hong Kong International Film Festival, Guadalajara International Film Festival, and Cairo International Film Festival, forming a truly global coalition for genre development.
Cannes may not be a genre-first festival overall, but when it opens its doors to horror and fantasy, it does possess the power to elevate the films to the highest levels of attention in the industry.
Fantaspoa
Porto Alegre, Brazil, April 8-26, 2026 | fantaspoa.com
“When you speak of passion for the arts, nowhere comes close to Brazil,” says one panelist. And Fantaspoa International Film Festival of Porto Alegre is proof of that.
“Fantaspoa has grown from a small fest to one of the most important ones in South America,” writes one expert. And the numbers back it up: 236 films in 2024, including 11 world premieres, with titles like Foibles, The Embodiment, Rich Flu, and No Dejes a Los Niños Solos lighting up screens in Porto Alegre. “Screening mostly productions from Latin America, Fantaspoa indicates yearly the evolution of moviemaking in the area,” explains another expert.
What makes Fantaspoa special isn’t just the “dynamite programming,” as one voter put it — it’s also the atmosphere. “A fest with a huge heart,” in the words of another panelist. The organizers are “lovely film geeks,” dedicated to transforming their city into a genre paradise every year. This isn’t just a festival. It’s a way of life. And the fact that over 160 people have the logo tattooed on their skin is quite telling.
FilmQuest
Provo, Utah, US, October 23-November 1, 2025 | filmquestfest.com
Coined “The Galaxy’s Most Fun Festival,” FilmQuest has carved out a reputation as a filmmaker’s paradise and “is quickly becoming one of the best genre film festivals in the world”, wrote one expert. “The most supportive crowds, THE BEST events, and the greatest staff EVER,” raved another panelist. The incredible attendance and communal energy are rarely matched. “People show up for the first screening and leave after the last,” said one filmmaker. “It’s that good.”
Held in Provo, Utah, FilmQuest has gained major recognition, “reaching the whole world with its impact,” despite being far from the traditional festival hubs. It became a rare genre festival Oscar predictor when its 2024 Grand Prize Short Film, I’m Not a Robot, won the Academy Award. Its unhinged Halloween Midnight Madness played out “like a rock concert,” while panels and labs brought filmmakers together with distributors, screenwriters and producers.
The festival’s signature Cthulhu trophy, its expert array of award categories including the recently added Best Found Footage Feature/Short, and its stellar hospitality make it one of North America’s most beloved genre “summer camps,” as two voters named it. And now with Sundance heading for Colorado, FilmQuest stands as Utah’s largest and most important film event.
For 2025, founder/director Jonathan Martin promises more networking, more premieres, possibly even partnerships with comic cons. And being the #1 most reviewed festival on FilmFreeway is proof that indie filmmakers stand a real chance of being invited to the party.
FrightFest
London, England, UK, August 21-25, 2025 | frightfest.co.uk
The largest and “most prestigious genre festival in the UK” certainly lives up to its name, and “has the ability to garner competitive press for world premieres,” two experts pointed out. Held in London’s West End, FrightFest has built a global reputation for embracing everything from raw indie gore to psychological found footage to prestige terror with equal love, in an “immersive urban experience.”
Another panelist didn’t hold back: “Incredibly exciting festival having more filmmakers than any of the others, I made lasting friendships. The screenings are electric especially in the IMAX theatre – which were legendary. Dying to go back!”
The 2024 edition marked a major milestone: a move to the state-of-the-art ODEON cinemas on Leicester Square — Dolby projection, Atmos sound, comfort — culminating in a closing night screening of The Substance. With strands like First Blood for new British talent and four Short Film Showcases, FrightFest continues to evolve while remaining fiercely fan-centric — as one voter confirmed: “a fantastic community of genre film fans”.
At FrightFest, horror gets its red carpet. “Drawing from all across the world, this is where much of Anglophone Europe gathers to sort out what’s what,” one panelist concluded.
MOTELX – Lisbon International Horror Film Festival
Lisbon, Portugal, September 9-15, 2025 | motelx.org/en
“A festival true to its essence: exclusively horror productions,” wrote one panelist. Yet Portugal’s MOTELX is also a full-on cultural event, combining the country’s history and political legacy with spot-on genre curation that made it “a very respected fixture on the genre circuit,” as one expert noted.
The 2024 edition, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Portugal’s 25th April Revolution, was a celebration of freedom and fear. From screening once-censored horror films in the “For the Good of the Nation” sidebar to showcasing AI-generated films like Telepathic Letters, MOTELX constantly pushes boundaries. The festival also gave space to women in horror via panels and book launches, and elevated Portuguese horror cinema with competitive awards.
“The passion of its organization allows close access to filmmakers in a select and carefully curated program,” says one panelist, and “everyone hangs out together on the steps or the courtyard out front of the theatre, drinking 2 euro beers, eating Portuguese cakes, and chatting movies.” Returning September 2025, MOTELX continues its annual descent into darkness in Lisbon’s vibrant center.
The Overlook Film Festival
New Orleans, Louisiana, US, Spring 2026 | overlookfilmfest.com
“Immersive” is the word most used by panelists when describing The Overlook Film Fest “in spooky New Orleans.” “Not only a primer on the hottest horror films on the circuit,” says one voter — “but its focus on immersive experiences is unmatched.”
The 2025 edition was Overlook’s biggest yet, with screenings, parties, and immersive events spread across the French Quarter. The festival opened with the world premiere of Drop, kicked off a horror-themed second line parade through the French Quarter, and honored genre icon Ernest Dickerson with the Master of Horror Award. Attendees were treated to a screening of Tales From the Crypt: Demon Knight, a Flying Lotus-curated section, and a 65th anniversary screening of 13 Ghosts in its original ILLUSION-O form.
“The programming is absolutely outstanding and unquestionably elite,” noted one expert, yet Overlook isn’t just a film festival — it’s a living, breathing love letter to horror. Whether you’re chasing ghosts through New Orleans, watching premieres with legends, or diving into the immersive sideshows, it’s a place where the lines between fiction and reality blur in the most delightful ways — “an experience you won’t find anywhere else,” as one voter summarized.
Screamfest Horror Film Festival
Los Angeles, California, US, October 7-16, 2025 | screamfestla.com
“Make no mistake, Screamfest is still probably the top horror-focused festival in the USA,” says one panelist. For 25 years, Screamfest has been a staple of the Los Angeles horror scene — a launchpad for genre filmmakers and a gathering ground for fans, icons, and up-and-comers alike. “With celebrities from the horror industry always in attendance, Screamfest combines solid programming with a community that can only be found in Hollywood.” Other experts praised its “gorgeous screening venue” at the Chinese Theaters, and one said their film “never looked or sounded better.”
The 2024 edition honored legendary cinematographer Dean Cundey (Halloween, Back to the Future), with the award presented by John Carpenter himself. It also hosted panels with the Hayes brothers (The Conjuring), cinematographers from Scream and Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and a Serpent and the Rainbow screening with producer Marianne Maddalena and Jonathan Craven.
Now celebrating its 25th edition, Screamfest continues to champion new voices while honoring the old guard. As it steps into its second quarter-century, it promises to deliver even more unforgettable scares.
Telluride Horror Show
Telluride, Colorado, US, October 10-12, 2025 | telluridehorrorshow.com
“Filmmakers love the Telluride Horror Show,” said one panelist — and it’s easy to see why — “great programming coupled with a great filmmaker experience and mountain town atmosphere makes for one of the premiere genre festivals in the world,” wrote one of them. Tucked away in the striking Colorado Rockies, Telluride Horror Show is a surreal mix of attitude and “altitude that definitely affects perceptions and response to pulse-pounding art,” the expert noted.
“Ted Wilson, Brady Richards and their staff have created such a warm, welcoming genre wonderland in Telluride,” writes another. The festival’s short film program is especially influential, drawing attention from execs at 18Hz and Antihero Entertainment — making it a legitimate launchpad for up-and-coming genre voices. For three packed days in one of the most beautiful places in the U.S., Telluride proves that horror can be both terrifying and transcendent.
The 2024 edition featured buzzy titles like Steven Soderbergh’s Presence, Dead Talents Society, and Joe Begos’ Jimmy & Stiggs, plus a preview of The Creep Tapes introduced by Patrick Brice. Horror authors like Grady Hendrix, Paul Tremblay, and Rachel Harrison were on hand for panels and readings, giving the event a literary edge as well.
Toronto After Dark Film Festival (TAD)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, October 15-19, 2025 | torontoafterdark.com
Though it went on hiatus in 2024, Toronto After Dark remains, “after Fantasia, Canada’s number #1 genre film festival.” “For an experience that revels in celebrating the spirit of genre, it’s hard to do better than TAD,” wrote one panelist. “Incredible programming. Super enthusiastic and big audiences. Great time all around,” said another.
The 2023 edition featured 39 films, including the Canadian premieres of UFO Sweden, Founder’s Day, and It’s a Wonderful Knife. What makes TAD unique is its commitment to Canadian short filmmakers: every feature is preceded by a Canadian genre short — a tradition that’s helped launch the careers of Steven Kostanski, Jason Eisener, Matthew Rankin, and even Denis Villeneuve.
Tragically, in 2024, the festival world lost TAD’s beloved founder and director, Adam Lopez — a deeply respected champion of horror and fantastic cinema whose energy and passion built one of the most enduring genre communities in North America. His passing was mourned throughout the industry, a testament to his legacy and the impact TAD has had on filmmakers and fans alike.
Stepping in to carry the torch is TIFF Midnight programmer Peter Kuplowsky, who aims to preserve the festival’s boutique, fan-friendly spirit while also honoring its legacy. For its upcoming 18th edition, TAD is expected to continue with its signature two-premiere-a-night format, shorts blocks, and possibly some retrospective screenings celebrating its alumni.
Top 40
Genre film festivals and programs that received between 3 and 4 votes from our expert panelists, ordered alphabetically
Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale): Panorama & Forum
Berlin, Germany, February 12-22, 2026 | berlinale.de/en/home.html
“Panorama includes provocative genre films that might not fit into the main competition, thereby creating space for more experimental and challenging genre works.” – panelist
Berlinale’s Panorama section continues to be a platform for bold, unconventional and wild cinema, showcasing films that challenge societal norms and offer fresh perspectives, while its Forum sidebar is dedicated to experimental and avant-garde films, often highlighting works from African and Asian countries. It focuses on documentaries, experimental films, and B-movies, aiming to challenge the Eurocentric perspective of cinema. Both sections seek to shake up the traditional cinematic canon, and at times take a dive into the pool of genre filmmaking—the way they did in 2025 with the European premiere of films like The Ugly Stepsister and Cadet.
BFI London Film Festival: Cult
London, England, UK, October 8-19, 2025 | whatson.bfi.org.uk/lff
“From unclassifiable to fantasy and horror, this series of screenings curated by the British Film Institute is a must-see.” – panelist
The CULT showcase at the BFI London Film Festival continues to be a key destination for genre lovers, offering a mind-altering and unclassifiable mix of horror, fantasy, and psychological thrillers within the broader LFF program. The 2024 edition featured some of the most acclaimed genre titles coming from Cannes, Venice, Locarno, and other prestige discovery festivals, such as Karan Kandhari’s Sister Midnight or Aislinn Clarke’s Fréwaka.
Celluloid Screams: Sheffield Horror Film Festival
Sheffield, England, UK, October 23-26, 2025 | celluloidscreams.co.uk
“This is one of those fests where you immediately make a million new friends and have to (almost) push yourself out of The Showroom cafe-bar and into the theater because you’re having way too much damn fun and eating and drinking way too well.” – panelist
The 2024 edition of Celluloid Screams was packed with premieres, previews, and an unmistakable sense of community. Canadian cult legends Astron-6 were on hand for the UK premiere of Frankie Freako and a live commentary on The Editor, while The Last Video Store inspired the creation of a retro pop-up hangout called “Video Nightmares.” Audience favorite Fréwaka took home Best Feature, and the festival closed with its now-iconic karaoke party.
In 2025, Celluloid Screams will return with its signature 35mm grindhouse screening, alongside horror classics and a diverse slate of contemporary premieres. The four-day celebration promises even more innovation and special guests, keeping its tight-knit, ever-growing community at the heart of the experience.
Chattanooga Film Festival (CFF)
Chattanooga, Tennessee, US, June 20-22(physical)-28(virtual), 2025 | chattfilmfest.org
“Fearless and heartfelt in its focus, this Tennessee wonder benefits from the personal and the unexpected. Not to mention a haunted base of operations and an open-armed approach to the possibilities of what genre cinema can be, it’s no surprise this was one of the first festivals to embrace virtual offerings, a practice it maintains to this day.” – panelist
The 2024 edition of Chattanooga Film Festival celebrated genre history with flair, including a tribute to The Twilight Zone led by Anne Serling and a deep dive into Edgar Allan Poe’s cinematic legacy. The festival also continued crowd-favorite traditions like the Redeye secret screening series and curated special events such as Adam Cesare’s presentation of Race with the Devil.
Returning to the Chattanooga Theatre Centre for its 12th edition, the 2025 festival features its largest lineup ever and a renewed commitment to parallel online screenings. CFF went in the opposite direction of other fests on this list, and imposed a full ban on productions made using generative AI.
Cucalorus Film Festival: Convulsions
Wilmington, North Carolina, US, November 19-23, 2025 | cucalorus.org
“I heard about Cucalorus from a fellow filmmaker when I was at Fantasia a few years ago. It has since been at the top of my list as it’s another one of those small-town-takeover, feels like summer camp type of fests. They also have fantastic taste when it comes to genre film programming.” – panelist
Curated by Aaron Hillis a.k.a. Saint Pervious, Cucalorus’ Convulsions after-hours adults-only sidebar blends sex, horror, and bizarre thrills from around the globe, often featuring wild discoveries from Cannes, Fantasia, or Rotterdam. A highlight of the 2024 edition was the screening of It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This, which ended with the auctioning of the film’s haunted Missouri duplex.
The 2025 edition, set for November in Wilmington, NC, is already shaping up to be just as unhinged. Its first confirmed “pearl” is Annapurna Sriram’s Fucktoys, described as a “glorious trash-terpiece.” Convulsions isn’t just a sidebar — it’s a late-night séance for genre’s most perverted spirits.
Dances With Films (DWF: LA/NY): Midnight Series
Los Angeles, California, June 19-29, 2025 | New York City, US, December 2025 | danceswithfilms.com
“Dances has always had a strong relationship with genre film programming, and features at least two midnight sections as well as other various genre programming. Often overlooked for others in LA or NY, but the truth is it’s probably a top 25 film festival in the world now.” – panelist
Over nearly three decades, Dances With Films’ Midnight Series has evolved from two late-night slots into a full-blown platform for emerging horror voices, now featuring over 20 titles annually. It’s where shorts like Baghead and Oculus: Chapter 3 first found their audiences, and where recent hits like Outbreak and Delicate Arch secured distribution deals.
Celebrated for embracing “unknowns” from day one, DWF’s Midnight Series has become a gateway to wider recognition for filmmakers who dare to scare. As programming chair Bennie Woodell puts it, the series gives horror creators a shot to terrify, surprise, and convert even the uninitiated — all on a massive theatrical screen.
Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF): Midnight Madness
Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, August 14-20, 2025 | edfilmfest.org/strands/midnight-madness
“Scotland’s elite genre programming in one of the world’s most renowned festivals.” – panelist
EIFF’s newly established Midnight Madness strand made a bold impact in 2024, launching with the UK premiere of Alien: Romulus and closing with the Oscar-winning The Substance. Other standouts included Sunray: Fallen Soldier (World Premiere), Birdeater, Oddity, and King Baby.
The 2025 edition is set to open with the world premiere of Ben Wheatley’s secret project Bulk — a high-octane genre cocktail of car chases, sci-fi, and romance. “It’s going to be a wild night,” promised Wheatley. With Film4 and EIFF both behind this visionary launch, Midnight Madness is quickly establishing itself as a major new genre destination in the UK festival circuit.
Fantasporto International Film Festival
Porto, Portugal, February-March, 2026 | fantasporto.com/en
“A little slower-paced festival allowing you time to enjoy the stunning city of Porto and make good friends. Rowdy conversations with local and international filmmakers and a beautiful main venue. I enjoyed every day and didn’t want to leave.” – panelist
Fantasporto’s legacy stretches back over 40 years, making it one of the oldest genre festivals in Europe. Recent editions have continued to reflect the focus of its directors, Mário Dorminsky and Beatriz Pacheco Pereira, on discovering new voices in world genre cinema, nurturing conversation, celebrating Portuguese and Asian cinema, and welcoming guests from all corners of the globe. All in all, Fantasporto remains a jewel of the Iberian Peninsula.
Bonus: Fantasporto is one of the very few major genre fests that are still free to submit for all filmmakers!
Grimmfest
Manchester, England, UK, October 9-12, 2025 | grimmfest.com
“The programmers and staff are lovely and very communicative. The festival is a huge supporter of indie filmmakers and alumni. Most importantly, they pack their cinema with a phenomenal crowd filled with the best type of horror fans.” – panelist
Grimmfest 2024 featured the world premiere of Black Cab, presented in person by Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead), marking one of the festival’s biggest moments to date. Known for its tightly curated lineup, Grimmfest screens only around 20–22 features each year, keeping competition fierce and standards high.
Looking ahead, Grimmfest 2025 is leaning into cosmic horror and the legacy of H.P. Lovecraft, themes that are already reflected in its eye-catching poster art by Ilan Sheady. Early submissions have shown great promise, suggesting an especially strong edition to come.
Imagine Fantastic Film Festival
Amsterdam, Netherlands, October 30-November 9, 2025 | imaginefilmfestival.nl/en
“The most important genre festival in the Netherlands. It is one of the leading festivals in Europe with its collaborations and connections with the Melies Federation.” – panelist
Amsterdam’s Imagine Fantastic Film Festival offered a 2024 edition full of cult prestige and cinematic reverence. Guests of Honour included Phil Tippett (Jurassic Park, Mad God), who headlined a retrospective spotlight, and Crispin Glover, who attended the premiere of Mr. K. The edition bridged iconic history with present-day oddities, creating an experience as quirky as it was profound.
The 2025 edition promises a thematic journey into cosmic and cultural horror, with H.P. Lovecraft-inspired programming, a focus on indigenous genre cinema, and immersive events under the Imagine Expanded banner that reimagine the festival as a rite of passage.
International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR)
Rotterdam, Netherlands, January 29-February 8, 2026 | iffr.com/en
“Neither a genre festival nor a festival with a dedicated sidebar for the Fantastic, it is still impossible to talk about the vibes and tones that come to define new movements in horror without addressing the ways that experimental cinema help shape those movements. And you can’t talk about experimental voices without speaking in reverential tones of Rotterdam. The dialogue between horror and experimental cinema continues unabated, and Rotterdam stirs up the substrate.” – panelist
IFFR 2024 featured boundary-pushing titles like Dead Lover by Grace Glowicki and Get Away by Steffan Haars, while also shining a spotlight on retro media culture through its Hold Video in Your Hands program — an in-depth tribute to VHS culture and its impact on contemporary cinephilia.
As the festival continues shaping the frontier of bold cinema, genre programming remains an essential part of its broader experimental and eclectic identity. The fact that genre festivals around the world turn to Rotterdam’s premieres to curate their programs in similar ways they turn to Cannes, is a testament to IFFR’s royal discovery status.
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF): Midnight Screenings
Karlovy Vary, Czechia (Czech Republic), July 4-12, 2025 | kviff.com/en/homepage
“A greatly welcomed genre sidebar in Central Europe’s largest and most respected festival.” – panelist
Maybe not as well-known as other Midnight programs in prestigious festivals on this list, KVIFF’s Midnight Screenings is nonetheless high up there. It’s a haven for genre enthusiasts, presenting a mix of horror, thriller, and action films. Last year’s lineup included titles like Hunting Daze, a Canadian thriller set in a remote cabin, and Maxxxine, the highly anticipated 2024 slasher sequel from Ti West starring Mia Goth. The program also showcased The Roundup: Punishment, a South Korean action hit, highlighting the festival’s commitment to diverse international genre cinema.
Mórbido Fest
Mexico City, Mexico, October-November, 2025 | morbidofilmfest.com
“A great city hosting a remarkable program and festival.” “In addition, the performances they staged at the award ceremony are crazy.” – panelists
Mórbido Fest remains a cornerstone for horror and fantasy cinema in Latin America, and its 17th edition in 2024 reaffirmed that status with a formidable lineup of genre features and shorts from around the globe. The festival hosted three world premieres and 27 Latin American premieres, many of which previously debuted at top-tier festivals like Cannes, Venice, Toronto, Sundance, Sitges, and SXSW. Known for celebrating the macabre, the demonic, and the wildly imaginative, this edition also featured special screenings, unique collaborations, and in-person appearances by filmmakers, further solidifying Mórbido’s reputation in the region.
Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival (NIFFF)
Neuchâtel, Switzerland, July 4-12, 2025 | nifff.ch/en
“Filmmakers talk about this festival with great reverence, and it’s a good global hub.” – panelist
The 2024 NIFFF broke attendance records with over 63,000 visitors, in a year shaped by bold editorial direction. Highlights included Asia Argento curating a special selection, a strong female-majority audience, and the Eat the Rich retrospective. Guests ranged from Wes Anderson’s model maker Simon Weisse to sci-fi writer Saul Pandelakis, creating an eclectic, multidisciplinary experience. Thea Hvistendahl’s Handling the Undead won Best Feature.
In 2025, the festival will explore the darker side of healthcare with Take Care! Cure Me if You Can — a 20-film retrospective filled with mad doctors, body horror, and systemic dread. The beloved open-air venue has been reimagined as Halles Obscura, offering nearly 1,000 seats in the heart of Neuchâtel for a nightmarishly unforgettable summer experience.
Nightmares Film Festival
Columbus, Ohio, US, October 16-19, 2025 | nightmaresfest.com
“Festival co-directors Jason Tostevin and Chris Hamel have crafted a festival that caters to filmmakers, and not just feature filmmakers. The love they show their shorts filmmakers is so important and the entire festival just feels like a celebration of every filmmaker’s hard work and dedication to craft their little piece of horror.” – panelist
Nightmares’ 2024 “#BetterHorror” slate featured new work from genre veterans like Can Evrenol (Baskin) and the Inside duo Bustillo & Maury. The program also included a reunion screening of Zack Parker’s Proxy, paired with the director’s new 16mm short Barista, plus workshops by Joe Swanberg and Jenn Wexler, secret screenings, live podcasts, and a rich lineup of 20 features and 130 shorts.
For its 10th anniversary in 2025, Nightmares will reunite alumni from its first decade for a full-on celebration of genre film and community. Expect one-of-a-kind events, honest and insightful panels, and the same welcoming environment that’s made the fest a favorite among horror creators and fans alike.
Panic Fest
North Kansas City, Missouri, US, Spring 2026 | panicfilmfest.com
“A festival that is coming onto the scene strong. Excellent programming and party atmosphere, plus a really great venue, make this an attention-grabbing event. It has strong branding, a great name, and has quickly become the premier genre fest in the American Midwest.” – panelist
Panic Fest 2025 saw the world premieres of Marshmallow and It Feeds, building on a legacy that has included genre favorites like Clown in a Cornfield, The Surfer, Evil Dead Rise, and Sisu. Over more than a decade, the festival has cultivated a passionate community, celebrating madness, mayhem, and the most blood-pumping stories from emerging talents.
As it heads into its 14th year in 2026, Panic Fest aims to grow that community further, continuing its mission to be a haven for the delightfully deranged and the darkly inventive.
Phoenix Film Festival: International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Festival
Phoenix, Arizona, US, March/April 2026 | horrorscifi.com
“One of the coolest sidebar experiences available for genre fans and filmmakers is a whole film festival nestled, Russian doll-style, inside another. As Phoenix Film Fest plays around it, IHSFF leverages the scale and same facilities to present true indie work to geeked audiences.” – panelist
The 2025 edition of the International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Festival — part of the Phoenix Film Festival — featured an eclectic slate of films, including Freaky Tales as the Opening Night title and Dead Lover as the closer. The festival honored Black Theta with Best Feature, and continued its tradition of celebrating icons like Tobe Hooper, Jeffrey Combs, and Heather Langenkamp in its Hall of Fame.
Looking ahead, Festival Director Monte Yazzie emphasizes community and opportunity: creating a space where emerging genre filmmakers can screen their work to passionate audiences and build meaningful connections. It’s a fest built on fan roots — by fans, for filmmakers.
Popcorn Frights Film Festival
Miami/Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US, August 7-17, 2025 | popcornfrights.com
“High tier programming and a filmmaker friendly experience makes this fest in Florida the state’s best genre fest. Notable for being able to snag some prominent premieres for some of the hottest features and enthusiastic crowds also make it one to attend in person.” – panelist
Popcorn Frights has quickly become a juggernaut in the U.S. genre circuit, claiming its space as the largest genre festival in the Southeast and one of the premier horror destinations in the country. The 2024 edition delivered a ten-day spectacle packed with 131 premieres and 12,700 attendees, launching with the thriller Strange Darling and featuring unforgettable events like a cinematic showdown between William Lustig and Adam Rifkin, a celebration of Society’s 35th anniversary with Brian Yuzna, and the debut of a never-before-seen cut of Return of the Living Dead 3. Fans also enjoyed the “Up All Night with Freddy” marathon, an appearance by Tony Todd just before his passing, and unique happenings like horror trivia and beachside parties.
The 2023 edition was equally vibrant, paying tribute to the 60th anniversary of Blood Feast with a live score, embracing retro horror with 3-D screenings of cult classics, and turning South Beach into a genre playground with surprise pop-up events. From late-night chaos to thoughtful panels and local showcases, Popcorn Frights blends the thrill of horror with the energy of a cultural event, redefining what a genre festival can be.
SLASH Fantastic Film Festival
Vienna, Austria, September 18-28, 2025 | slashfilmfestival.com/en
“Led by a multitasking genre fan, Slash has gained a great reputation over the years and its director of programming has a fantastic taste and knowledge of film. Plus, it’s Vienna. Come on!” – panelist
The 15th edition of SLASH opened with the Austrian premiere of The Substance and featured national premieres of acclaimed titles like Strange Darling, Oddity, and Memoir of a Snail. Genre legends such as Mark L. Lester, Fabrice du Welz, and animator Michael Granberry were in attendance. A standout retrospective explored found footage classics like [REC] and Cannibal Holocaust, while side events included concerts, talks, and even a forest screening of The Blair Witch Project.
For its Sweet Sixteen in 2025, SLASH will highlight 3D genre cinema with 35mm screenings and celebrate with a fittingly bloody Carrie-themed Prom Night. With another year of cutting-edge programming and signature flair on the horizon, SLASH continues to be a European gem.
Strasbourg European Fantastic Film Festival (FEFFS)
Strasbourg, France, September 26-October 5, 2025 | strasbourgfestival.com/en
“FEFFS grew over the years to become one of the most important fests in France. The old town of Strasbourg is superb, the film curation is top notch, and the guest list always impressive.” – panelist
The 2024 edition of Strasbourg FEFFS delivered a strong and eclectic lineup of some of the most stellar European genre titles found on the festival circuit, culminating in a selection of standout winners across its competition sections. The Golden Octopus went to U Are the Universe (Ukraine), while Greece took home a Special Jury Mention for She Loved Blossoms More.
The event continued to solidify its position as a European hub for genre films, combining French premieres with a celebration of fantastic storytelling. With its 18th edition set to return in 2025, FEFFS is promising yet another year of elite programming in the heart of Alsace.
Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF): Rebels With a Cause, Midnight Shivers & Midnight Madness
Tallin, Estonia, November 7-23, 2025 | poff.ee/en/rebels-with-a-cause-competition / poff.ee/en/midnight-shivers-1 / poff.ee/en/film/midnight-madness
“Although not a genre festival per se, POFF’s sidebars focused on rebellious cinema, midnight scares and bizarre animations make it a very unique genre celebration in the Baltic states.” – panelist
Tallinn Black Nights offers a trio of subprograms where genre reigns supreme. Midnight Shivers has long delivered spine-tingling horror, fantasy, and B-movie thrills amid the Baltic darkness. Rebels With a Cause champions bold voices and risky narratives — the kind that push boundaries and spark conversation. While Midnight Madness spotlights the most bizarre animated shorts one can think of.
The 2024 lineup featured wild entries like the hallucinogenic yakuza tale Okamoto and the biting political satire Protected Men. Looking ahead, 2025’s Midnight Shivers will once again be the place for over-the-top genre fare, while Rebels continues redefining what underground storytelling can be in a challenging, evolving world.
Venice Film Festival (Biennale Cinema): Orizzonti & Out of Competition
Venice, Italy, August 27-September 6, 2025 | labiennale.org/en/cinema
“Although not solely focused on genre, the Orizzonti section frequently showcases Venice’s most innovative genre works, especially those pushing formal and thematic boundaries.” – panelist
The Orizzonti (Horizons) section of the Venice Film Festival is dedicated to showcasing new trends in world cinema, often highlighting innovative and experimental works, while the Fuori Concorso (Out of Competition) screenings often include high-profile titles. Although not the most obvious destinations for genre enthusiasts, both sections are known to take a dive into the fantastic at times.
In 2024, La Biennale din Venezia opened with the world premiere of Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice out of competition. But perhaps more relevant for genre connoisseurs was the premiere of Alexandre O. Philippe’s Chain Reactions in Venice Classics: Documentary on Cinema. Further proof of the festival’s understanding of horror, the film is a unique exploration of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre‘s profound impact on five notable artists: author Stephen King, filmmaker Takashi Miike, director Karyn Kusama, comedian Patton Oswalt, and critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas.
Top 90
Genre film festivals and programs that received between 1.5 and 2 votes from our expert panelists, ordered alphabetically
A Night of Horror International Film Festival (ANOH)
Eau Claire, Wisconsin, US, March 5-8, 2026 | anightofhorror.com
“Festival director Dean Bertram personally watches every single film submitted for consideration, which makes ANOH one of the must-submit genre fests.”
Austin Film Festival: Dark Matters
Austin, Texas, US, October 23-30, 2025 | austinfilmfestival.com
“The Austin Film Festival openly gives space to innovative, bold genre films and dark films every year.”
Blodig Weekend (Bloody Weekend)
Copenhagen, Denmark, November 12-16, 2025 | blodigweekend.dk/in-english
“This festival in Copenhagen is a gem – like a diamond splattered with blood with neat, Danish precision. It’s one of the classiest and coolest fests you’ll ever attend. But don’t fooled: you’re in for a killer lineup of some gnarly, extreme, vigorous cinema.”
Boston Underground Film Festival (BUFF)
Cambridge, Massachusetts, US, March 2026 | bostonunderground.org
“BUFF has been wowing loyal audiences for years, and rightly so. Its celebration of imagination and invention through cinematic art is heroic and always exciting. Seriously, if you threw a dart at their lineup each year, you’d be stoked to watch whatever film your dart nailed.”
Buenos Aires Rojo Sangre (BARS)
Buenos Aires, Argentina, November 20-30, 2025 | rojosangre.quintadimension.com
“With 25 years under its belt, Rojo Sangre has been a powerful platform for new voices in indie and fantastic cinema in Latin America. It’s now considered one of the most respected underground festivals around—and it still keeps its raw, underground vibe.”
Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF): Midnight Screenings
Cairo, Egypt, November 12-21, 2025 | ciff.org.eg
“A unique genre showcase in the biggest international festival on the African continent.”
Calgary Underground Film Festival (CUFF)
Calgary, Alberta, Canada, April 16-26, 2026 | calgaryundergroundfilm.org
“Although CUFF accepts all categories of film, they have exquisite programming when it comes to genre. I have very few regular film festivals that I submit my work to, but CUFF always makes my festival list cut.”
The Chicago International Film Festival: After Dark
Chicago, Illinois, US, October 15-26, 2025 | chicagofilmfestival.com/festival-program/after-dark
“An elite lineup bringing some of the best films on the genre circuit in the state of Illinois.”
Cinequest Film Festival: Thriller, Fantasy & Sci-Fi
San Jose, California, US, March 10-22, 2026 | cinequest.org
“While their main focus is dramas and comedies, they do have an excellent selection of genre films. Their parties and networking events are huge, and you better be ready to bust out your best evening wear to attend this amazing festival in the heart of the tech industry.”
Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF): After Hours
Cleveland, Ohio, US, April 9-18, 2026 | clevelandfilm.org/sidebars/after-hours
“Very friendly team, lots of choices and quality screenings!”
CURTAS – Festival do Imaxinario
Vilagarcia de Arousa, Galicia, Spain, October 24-November 2, 2025 | curtas.org/en
“Not super well-known outside hardcore circles, Curtas is a hidden gem for cult and fantasy film lovers. With more than 50 years of history, it’s one of the oldest fests in Spain, and in recent years it’s really stepped up its game when it comes to showcasing high-quality, fantastic cinema.”
Dark Nights Film Fest
Randwick suburb of Sydney, Australia, October 9-12, 2025 | darknightsfilmfest.com
“This fest has Bryn Tilly, one of the most passionate, wonderful fest directors and programmers! Terrific and eclectic films. They also have really supportive and friendly local filmmakers, I made some great connections and friends whom I have kept in touch with.” – panelist
Dead Northern Horror Film Festival
York, England, UK, September 26-28, 2025 | deadnorthern.co.uk
“The organizers are super keen and have a background in events, putting a skew on the screenings not seen elsewhere. Its reputation is growing, and it’s just a matter of time before it becomes a must-attend part of the UK circuit.”
Dracula Film Festival
Brașov, Transilvania, România, October-November, 2025 | draculafilm.ro
“Romania’s largest genre celebration, located in one of Transylvania’s most beautiful cities and just 18 miles away from Dracula’s Castle!”
L’Étrange Festival
Paris, France, September 2-13, 2025 | etrangefestival.com/en
“It has the reputation of being one of the greatest genre events in France.”
Fantasy Filmfest (FFF)
Berlin/Frankfurt/Hamburg/Cologne/Munich/Nuremberg/Stuttgart, Germany, September 3-24, 2025 | fantasyfilmfest.com/en
“Germany’s largest genre showcase, touring 7 major German cities every year in September.”
FERATUM International Fantastic Film Festival
Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, Mexico, November 6-10, 2025 | feratumfilmfest.com
“Mexico’s fastest rising genre festival thanks its passionate director, Miguel Angel Marin. It also teamed up with the larger Guadalajara IFF to launch the Fantastic Genre Pitch, aiming to spotlight emerging Ibero-American talent.”
Festival du nouveau cinéma de Montréal: Temps 0
Montreal, Quebec, Canada, October 8-19, 2025 |nouveaucinema.ca/en/2024/temps-0
“A sidebar best described by its tagline: The wild horde: rebellious filmmakers and movies that bite.”
Florida Film Festival: Midnight
Maitland suburb of Orlando, Florida, US, April 2026 | floridafilmfestival.com
“Florida Film Festival’s programmer Tim Anderson is a big horror movie fan and programs fantastic, weird, and wonderful horror shorts. Not to mention the festival is very well attended!”
Glasgow Film Festival: FrightFest
Glasgow, Scotland, UK, March 2026 | glasgowfilm.org/frightfest
“The FrightFest strand of Glasgow Film Festival always delivers a strong lineup of genre fare, including many UK premieres and audience-submitted shorts. A great community atmosphere, too.”
Grossmann Fantastic Film & Wine Festival
Ljutomer, Slovenia, July 2-6, 2025 | grossmann.si/en
“Extremely unique festival and programming, wrapped up in a wonderful setting. They treat filmmakers incredibly well and the parties go to the wee hours every night.” – panelist
HollyShorts Film Festival: Midnight Madness
Los Angeles, California, US, August 7-17, 2025 | hollyshorts.com
“HollyShorts’ Midnight strand is filled with genre films that are truly scary, bonkers, and mind-blowing. The crowds for this section are insane and always filled with packed theaters at the amazing TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood.”
HARD:LINE International Film Festival
Regensburg, Germany, April 2026 | hardline-filmfestival.com/en
“One of the coolest festivals in the world, held in a fairy tale-like town in a gorgeous one-screen cinema with a bar you can access right behind the screen. Their two shorts blocks are packed with banger after banger.”
Heartland International Film Festival (HIFF): Horror
Indianapolis, Indiana, US, October 9-19, 2025 | heartlandfilm.org/festival
“Wonderful filmmaker events at truly interesting venues, can’t wait to return.”
Horror-on-Sea Film Festival
Southend-on-Sea, England, UK, January 2026 | thewhitebus.co.uk/horror-on-sea
“Hosted in a local hotel over two weekends, it’s more than made up by the enthusiasm of the organizers and attendees.”
Isla Calavera: Canary Islands Fantastic Film Festival
San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife (Canary Islands), Spain, November 7-16, 2025 | festivalislacalavera.com/en
“Still pretty young, but already a rising star in Spain’s genre scene. Isla Calavera stands out for hosting big international names and for a top-notch lineup. It’s got a cool mix of classic film tributes and fresh new voices, all set in a stunning island location that makes the experience even more special.”
Knoxville Horror Film Fest
Knoxville, Tennessee, October 16-19, 2025 | knoxhorrorfest.com
“The kind of festival that always delivers more than it promises, this remarkable offering brings a well-curated assortment of films and activities, but they also take over a drive-in, keeping alive one of the grand traditions of genre cinema and cultivating the most special of vibes.”
KORK International Horror Film Festival
Istanbul, Türkiye (Turkey), October 25-26, 2025 | korkfilmfest.com
“Türkiye’s first international horror film festival had a great start, put together professionally with care, and is promising to become a must-attend event in the global festival circuit.”
Leeds International Film Festival (LIFF): Fanomenon & Night of the Dead
Leeds, England, UK, November 6-23, 2025 | leedsfilm.com/whats-on/themas/5/fanomenon / leedsfilm.com/whats-on/130//night-of-the-dead
“Night of the Dead is the UK’s longest-running all-night marathon, showcasing both shorts and feature horror films, and it’s always a challenge to be in the cinema when the sun rises.”
Locarno Film Festival
Locarno, Switzerland, August 6-16, 2025 | locarnofestival.ch/home.html
“They don’t have an actual midnight section, but it’s a festival that in recent years has opened an important place for genre programming in its general lineup.”
Macabro: Mexico City International Horror Film Festival
Mexico City, Mexico, August 20-30, 2025 | macabro.mx
“Incredible community of genre fans and probably the liveliest screenings and Q&As on the circuit. Beautiful venues and great world films. Classy team behind the festival, and I just loved exploring Mexico City. They had the most stunning party locations ever.”
Mar del Plata International Film Festival: Midnight Screamings
Mar del Plata, Argentina, November 6-16, 2025 | mardelplatafilmfest.com
“One of South America’s most prestigious festivals, screening the highest caliber of films from around the globe. The Midnight Screams section is an example of pure, unhinged reverence for the genre, and the Q&As punctuate the energy and good-feeling vibes in the way a midnight screening should feel: alive, raucous, and communal.”
MidWest WeirdFest
Eau Claire, Wisconsin, US, March 5-8, 2026 | midwestweirdfest.com
“A rising star in the American Midwest, WeirdFest always programs from filmmakers’ submissions, while also paying tribute to the classics with a special screening of Eraserhead in 2025.”
Molins Horror Film Festival (TerrorMolins)
Molins de Rei suburb of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, November 7-16, 2025 | molinsfilmfestival.com
“Running since 1973, this festival in the hills of Catalonia is a fan favorite for good reason. Known for stunts, some of which have gotten them in trouble in the past, it’s not one for the faint-hearted!”
Nashville Film Festival: Graveyard Shift Shorts
Nashville, Tennessee, US, September 18-24, 2025 | nashvillefilmfestival.org
“Who doesn’t want to spend a few days in Nashville. Old school charming festival with a passionate team of programmers and filmmakers present.”
Nevermore Film Festival
Durham, North Carolina, US, February-March, 2026 | carolinatheatre.org/nevermore-film-festival
“The oldest genre festival in the U.S. All the screenings at the historic Carolina Theater in Durham are curated with the finest quality picture and sound. Each attending filmmaker is treated like royalty, highlighted at every screening, and even offered a chaperone. The networking events take place at some of the best restaurants and bars around Durham, creating a very intimate atmosphere.”
Night Visions
Helsinki, Finland, November 19-23, 2025 | nightvisions.info/wp/en
“A stunning locale run by amazing people who know and understand genre at its core. They go all out for the filmmakers and fans with parties at all hours and specialty screenings from genre legends.”
The Philip K. Dick Film Festival
New York City, US, April 2026 | thephilipkdickfilmfestival.com
“Absolute gem of a fest. Lots of great filmmaker communication from fest director Daniel Abella and fest manager Jon Stevens. Dan has an academic level knowledge of science fiction and is clearly passionate about genre cinema.”
Portland Horror Film Festival
Portland, Oregon, US, June 11-15, 2025 | portlandhorrorfilmfestival.com
“A familial atmosphere in a wonderful venue – the Hollywood Theater in Portland – where filmmakers can watch their movies play in front of packed audiences in a city that truly values this festival as one of the premiere events of the year.”
Ramaskrik Film Festival
Oppdal, Norway, October 15-19, 2025 | eng.ramaskrik.no
“Situated in central Norway, Ramaskrik is a little jewel run by passionate genre fans who make sure you feel at home when you visit.”
REGARD – Saguenay International Short Film Festival: Genre Movies
Saguenay, Quebec, Canada, March 2026 | festivalregard.com/programming/24/298/program/5340
“Despite being perhaps the most important short film festival in North America, Festival Regard remains relatively unknown to genre fans and creators. That’s a shame, because its tightly-curated genre blocks include some of the most sophisticated new horror work in the world.”
Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF): Vortex
Providence, Rhode Island, US, August 5-10, 2025 / October 2025 | rifilmfest.org
“This sidebar for genre shorts during the main festival in August continues with a dedicated Vortex festival for both genre shorts and features later in October.”
Romford Horror Festival
Romford suburb of London, England, UK, February 19-22, 2026 | romfordhorrorfestival.com
“A new British event that has emerged from the pandemic and is slowly gaining a reputation, especially for short films.”
Salem Horror Fest
Salem, Massachusetts, US, April 30-May 3, 2026 | salemhorror.com
“An emerging festival coming at you from the Witch City.”
San Sebastián Horror and Fantasy Film Festival
San Sebastian, Basque Country, Spain, October 31-November 7, 2025 | sansebastianhorrorfestival.eus
“The best atmosphere and most loyal audience for a festival that preserves the cheeky, mischievous spirit of genre cinema.”
Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF): WTF: Wild, Terrifying, Fantastic!
Seattle, Washington State, US, May 2026 | siff.net/festival/programs-2025/wtf
“This wild programming benefits from SIFF’s large audience reach.”
Sydney Film Festival: Freak Me Out
Sydney, Australia, June 4-15, 2025 | sff.org.au/program/strands/freak-me-out
“Freak Me Out is Australia’s premiere genre sidebar.”
Sydney Underground Film Festival (SUFF)
Newtown suburb of Sydney, Australia, September 11-14, 2025 | suff.com.au
“Australia’s top underground and genre film event. Wonderful and fun atmosphere. Fantastic curation. Passionate and dedicated festival team led by the amazing Katherine Berger.”
Transilvania International Film Festival (TIFF): Full Moon
Cluj-Napoca, Transilvania, România, June 13-22, 2025 | tiff.ro/en/festival/2025/filme/luna_plina
“An elite genre programming in Romania’s largest and most glamorous festival in the heart of Transylvania.”
Trieste Science+Fiction Festival
Trieste, Italy, October 28-November 2, 2025 | sciencefictionfestival.org/en
“A veteran film festival that has reinvented itself with the best possible director, Alan Jones. The combination of programs makes Trieste a unique and irresistible experience for science fiction fans.”
Unnamed Footage Festival (UFF)
San Francisco, California, US, March 27-29, 2026 | unnamedfootagefestival.com
“A film festival solely dedicated to found footage horror and films that focus on in-world camera? Sign me up! This small but mighty festival is only growing, and the team is consistently able to curate a packed program of the best and weirdest in found footage horror films, from brand-new titles to retrospective screenings.”
The Vancouver Horror Show Film Festival (VHS)
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, October 15-19, 2025 | vancouverhorrorshow.com
“A gem waiting to be discovered. Unpretentious, generous, and optimistic, the fest is a testament to what horror community is supposed to feel like.”
Wench Film Festival
Mumbai, India, February-March 2026 | wenchfilmfestival.com
“Sapna Moti Bhavnani has masterminded India’s first horror/sci-fi/fantasy film festival, and the energy and enthusiasm there is tasty as all hell.”
Check out Dread Central’s 2022 and 2021 horror festival lists.
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