Indie horror film fests worth screaming about
If you thrill for things that go bump in the night and delight at the sight of a blood-spattered sequence, then you definitely need to know all about the best indie horror film festivals. Particularly as genre festivals are renowned for bringing together some of the most impassioned and vocal film-loving communities you could ever hope to meet – nobody wants to enjoy and endure all that fearsome fun alone! Bursting with atmosphere and full of bold, daring, and often undiscovered cinematic treasures, horror film festivals are heaps of fun (especially if you have a strong stomach and a taste for terror). From all around the world, here are fourteen of the best indie horror film festivals.
Portland Horror Film Festival
June 3-7 Portland, U.S. Dedicated to screening films only from indie filmmakers and small studios, the Portland Horror Film Festival thrives on fresh ideas from independent voices. Open to films of any horror genre including supernatural, psychological, dark fantasy, and the goriest “vast vistas of horror” imaginable, this five-day showcase celebrates “the best films from the horror masters of tomorrow.” No mainstream horrors allowed. The 2026 edition marks the 11th annual and will screen over 24 hours of films across Hollywood Theatre and Clinton Street Theater, including 10 features and more than 50 shorts plus Q&As.
A Night of Horror
March 4-7 Eau Claire, U.S. Described by Fangoria as being, “a festival of frights gorging itself on a diet of sinister submissions from local & international filmmakers,” A Night of Horror is Australia’s oldest premiere showcase of indie horror cinema now based in the United States. Devoted to promoting independent artists, the fest pledges to program the majority of its lineup from independent submissions so that more emerging talent can rise through the ranks to be seen and celebrated by an edacious, genre-loving audience. The 2027 edition will run March 4-7 after a successful 2026 program.
AxWound Film Festival
November 18 Brattleboro, U.S. Presenting a niche selection of horror movies written & directed by women, AxWound is a female-driven indie film festival devised to celebrate, empower, and inspire women in the horror industry. Created by Women in Horror Month founder Hannah Neurotica, the festival showcases an outstanding feature alongside a selection of short films, and includes a full day of indispensable panels & workshops for every scream queen looking to sharpen her voice.
Midnight Movie Horror Festival
June 2 Los Angeles, U.S. Taking place on the first Friday night (and Saturday morning) of each month, Midnight Movie elevates obscure horror joints alongside major indie cuts at L.A.’s legendary (and supposedly haunted) Vista Theatre. Midnight Movie rep Michael Phillip told Film Daily, “We are creating a Hollywood horror film community matching recent horror movies with unknown gems found through our film fest submitters.” Whether you’re a filmmaker or a film fan, this festival is more than worth burning the midnight oil for.
Cryptshow Festival
June 26 – July 4 Barcelona, Spain Developed to promote the fantasy & horror genre, Cryptshow Festival has been bringing a whole host of monsters, killers, aliens, zombies, and delightful scenes of darkness to sunny Barcelona for the past 12 years. Making this quirky horror festival stand out from the pack is the unique Official Competition Section Jury Award trophy – a mechanical saw made by Catalan ceramist Marta Martinez i Hortet – and a devilish cash prize of €666.
Hollywood Horrorfest
September 26-27 Los Angeles, U.S. Providing “everything you’ve always wanted to know about indie genre filmmaking but were afraid to ask,” Hollywood Horrorfest is a new indie film festival packing quite a bit of heat. As well as featuring a prestigious showcase of indie horror, the festival also gives winning entries the opportunity to be part of the acclaimed Amazon Video anthology series Hollywood Horrorfest Presents. Aiming to help filmmakers “screen, be seen, & market your dream,” Horrorfest also gathers representatives from indie distributors, sales reps, and PR companies for panels constructed to help filmmakers figure out their next steps in the horror world.
Macabro
August 13-23 Mexico City, Mexico As Mexico’s first genre festival (and the second ever conceived in Latin America), Macabro was established in 2002 as an event for celebrating new indie horror films alongside classic cuts & cult movies. Over ten days, this highly-respected horror festival combines screenings with masterclasses, retrospectives, parties, and Q&A sessions with special guests. The 2026 program marks the 25th edition.
Hexploitation Film Festival
March 23 – 25 Hamilton, Canada Founded in 2009 as Fright Night Theatre before evolving into the annual fan-favorite event it is today, Hexploitation screens seven feature films and around 20 shorts over three magnificently horrific nights. Showcasing the best “shocking, scary, schlocky, and scintillating independent and mainstream horror / genre films” alongside informal Q&As and themed parties, the festival offers a one-of-a-kind experience made by genre fans, for genre fans. Previous official Hexploitation selections and award winners have included such groundbreaking films as Jennifer Kent’s The Babadook, Agnieszka Smoczynska’s The Lure, and Lowell Dean’s Wolfcop, making it an essential event for genre fans hoping to catch new indie movies ahead of the buzz.
Screamfest
October 6-15 Hollywood, U.S. Often referred to as being “the Sundance of Horror,” Screamfest was established in 2001 by producers Rachel Belofsky & Ross Martin to give indie genre filmmakers an opportunity to showcase their work to the film industry. The festival is renowned for launching careers, particularly following the success of Oren Peli’s Paranormal Activity, which was notoriously discovered at the festival in 2007. Featuring a consistently impeccable selection of the best in indie genre cinema – alongside a prestigious film & screenwriting competition – Screamfest is truly a festival to die for! The 2026 edition runs at TCL Chinese Theatres and requires films completed after January 1, 2025.
FrightFest
August 27-31 London, UK Remaining an essential fixture in the calendar of horror fans and filmmakers since it was established in 2000, FrightFest has since evolved into one of the biggest fantasy & horror festivals in the world. Featuring a unique atmosphere emboldened by a raucous sense of community, FrightFest showcases horror flicks from major indie studios and emerging filmmakers. As an added bonus for genre fans, FrightFest also stages an annual Halloween extravaganza on the last Saturday in October. The 2026 edition takes place at ODEON Leicester Square and West End.
Atlanta Horror Film Festival
October 1-4 Atlanta, U.S. Founded in 2006 as Georgia’s first horror film festival, Atlanta Horror Film Festival remains the longest-running genre event in the Southeast. The 2026 edition celebrates the festival’s 20th anniversary at 7 Stages Theatre with a focus on bloody and imaginative independent work. The programming continues to highlight emerging voices alongside established indie filmmakers in a city that knows how to throw a proper midnight crowd.
Chicago Horror Film Festival
October 2-4 Chicago, U.S. Ranked among the top three horror film festivals in the world by multiple genre outlets, Chicago Horror Film Festival returns for its 28th edition with a full weekend of screenings, panels, and filmmaker opportunities. The event has built a reputation for mixing established names with bold new submissions, and attendees consistently praise the tight community that forms around each year’s slate.
Houston Horror Film Fest
August 7-9 Houston, U.S. Houston Horror Film Fest pairs more than 70 horror films with a convention-style vendor hall featuring over 100 artists and filmmakers. The 2026 edition runs at Houston Marriott Westchase and gives attendees the chance to meet creators directly between screenings. The blend of expo energy and focused programming has made it a standout on the summer circuit.
The Indie Horror Film Festival
October 9-11 Woodstock, U.S. Now in its 17th year, The Indie Horror Film Festival delivers a three-day celebration of fearless independent horror inside the atmospheric Needful Things Shop. Programming spans midnight terrors to monster mayhem, and the intimate setting keeps conversations between filmmakers and audiences going long after the final credits roll.
