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Reel Horrors Film Festival Launches First-Ever Colorado Student Short Horror Film Competition

New Program to Showcase Emerging Colorado Filmmakers at the 2026 Colorado Festival of Horror

Denver, CO- The Reel Horrors Film Festival and the Colorado Festival of Horror are proud to announce the launch of the festival’s first-ever Colorado Student Horror Film Competition, debuting as part of the 2026 festival lineup.

Created to spotlight the next generation of filmmakers working within the horror genre, the competition is open exclusively to Colorado-based students currently enrolled in high school, college, university, or other accredited educational programs. Eligible submissions must be original horror short films with a runtime of 15 minutes or less.

Selected finalists will screen their films as part of the festival’s Opening Night Program on Friday, September 18, 2026, where each filmmaker will have the opportunity to introduce their work to a live audience of horror fans, filmmakers, and industry professionals.

In a unique festival event, a panel of judges will deliberate in real time following the screenings and select a winning film LIVE during the program. The winning filmmaker will receive the festival’s inaugural Best Student Horror Film Award, and their film will be featured during the festival’s prestigious “Best of the Fest” showcase on Sunday, September 20, alongside the top films selected from the entire festival lineup.

“One of the most exciting things about horror cinema is that it has always been a space where new filmmakers can take risks, find their voice, and connect with audiences,” said Festival Director Jack Hanley. “We’re thrilled to create a platform that celebrates the incredible creativity already happening in Colorado schools and universities and to help introduce these emerging filmmakers to the broader genre community.”

The Colorado Student Horror Film Competition reflects Reel Horrors’ ongoing mission to champion bold, innovative voices while building a thriving regional horror filmmaking community.

Submission Details

Submissions are now open through FilmFreeway under the designated Student Competition category:

Submit Here:
FilmFreeway Submission Page: https://filmfreeway.com/COFOHReelHorrorsFilmFest

Students, educators, film programs, and community members are encouraged to share the opportunity with aspiring filmmakers throughout Colorado.

About Reel Horrors Film Festival

Reel Horrors Film Festival was founded on the belief that we ALL have the capacity to fall in love with horror. As a three-day celebration of short-form terror, we aim to make the horror genre accessible to everyone – satisfying the diehard fans who have sustained the genre for decades, welcoming newcomers with fresh voices and diverse perspectives, and attracting cinema lovers who appreciate films that push stylistic and thematic boundaries.

Presented within the Colorado Festival of Horror, a weekend long convention featuring nationally recognized horror icons and diverse artists in the field with over 1,500 attendees from Colorado and beyond, Reel Horrors is in the unique position to blend the worlds of the independent film festival circuit and fan-driven culture of traditional horror conventions.

Rooted in Colorado, we proudly champion local filmmakers while embracing emerging international talents and debut storytellers who dare to challenge and redefine horror. We honor the genre’s rich history while seeking bold new visions that evolve its future—curating films that captivate, unsettle, and keep us up at night.

For additional information, interviews, media inquiries, or submission questions, contact:

Jack Hanley
Festival Director, Reel Horrors Film Festival
[email protected]

SUBMIT NOW — and become the next great Colorado horror filmmaker.