Short Horror Film Contest

Are you a fan of analog horror like The Mandela Catalogue, Local 58, or the Backrooms? Do you love found footage films like The Blair Witch Project? Try your hand at creating a short horror film!

In honor of Halloween, the North Chicago Public Library is calling for entries for our Short Horror Film contest!

The winner of our Short Horror Film contest will receive their choice of either a:

• Year subscription to the Criterion Channel

or

• Year subscription to Shudder

or

• a $70 gift certificate

Check below for rules and instructions as to how to submit your short film.

Rules:

1. Films must be between 2-10 minutes in length (excluding title and credits).
2. Filmmakers must be at least 15 years old.
3. Films can be made with a maximum of 5 people.
4. Filmmakers must reside in Lake County, be able to provide proof of residence, and able to visit the North Chicago Public Library.
5. The film must not include any of the following content:
   1. Material that infringes third-party rights, harm to animals, nudity, sexual assault, or hate speech. Any films containing this content will be eliminated from the competition.
6. The film must be made entirely by you! Refrain completely from using AI in crafting your script and visuals. Any films containing AI generated content will be eliminated from the competition.
7. You must be able to submit your screenplay/script in PDF form using our submission form.
8. You must upload your film as a private video to YouTube and submit the link using our submission form.
9. Submissions must be produced between August 1, 2026 and October 25, 2026.

Submission Period: October 1st-October 25th.

Submission deadline is October 25th @ 12PM CDT.

 

Questions? Email Leah at: leahm@ncplibrary.org.