Dark Cinema

A short film festival for all things dark, sinister, and supernatural.

Dark Cinema is a horror based film festival for Utah cinematographers with a passion for the dark side of storytelling. Connor Blake Media invites all captivated by the dark and macabre to join for an evening where darkness meets artistry. The festival will feature gloomy artisans, delicious food trucks, eerie hauntings, and short films from local creators. Sit back, but maybe not too comfortably, as we celebrate the art of crafting spooky tales that linger long after the screen fades to black.

Details

Date: October 4th, 2024

Location: Ritz Theater. Tooele, UT.

Times: 5-9pm

  • 5pm: Vendors and Activities

  • 7pm: Films - Youth 7-8pm, Adults 8-9pm.

  • 9pm: Awards

Filmmakers

Welcome, visionary filmmakers, to Dark Cinema! Join us as we celebrate the art of terrifying storytelling and immerse our audience in the depths of fear and suspense. We are thrilled to have you involved in this festival as we delve into the depths of the human psyche and explore the boundaries of the supernatural. All ages and skill levels are welcome. See rules and submission details at the bottom of this page.

Awards

  • Youth (Ages 12 and under): $250+

  • Teens (Ages 13-17): $500+

  • Adults (18+): $500+

Submit Your Film Here

Rules and Guidelines

  • This is a festival primarily for Utah Filmmakers; however, a few outstanding non-local films will be considered.

  • Film must be less than 10 minutes. Recommended between 5-10 minutes.

  • Short films must be on theme with Dark Cinema (Horror, Dark, Sinister, Spooky, Creepy, Supernatural, Eerie, Paranormal… You get the idea).

  • Short films should have a story, be original, and only include your own work. (No stock footage).

  • Export settings must be at 1080p 24fps, H.264 .MP4 or .MOV file, 16:9 or Wide-Screen format.

  • All audio levels must be normalized for the entire video with nothing peaking over -2db and nothing (that you want audible) below -18db. All dialogue must be understandable if it is laid overtop of background music.

  • Must be original and unique to Dark Cinema (Cannot be in other film festivals at the same time).

  • A legal film release for Dark Cinema will be provided at time of acceptance, the film release must be signed and returned before being fully accepted into the festival. (Music licensing must be submitted separately). Films with copyrighted material without licensing will not be accepted into the festival.

  • Films including nudity will not be accepted into the festival.

  • Submissions due by: September 1st, 2024

  • All submissions to be made through FilmFreeway (Link Below). Student submissions are FREE. All other submissions cost $5.00.

Vendors

Welcome, talented artisans, to Dark Cinema Film Festival! Embrace the opportunity to showcase your uniquely crafted creations amidst the spine-chilling atmosphere of our event. Engage with an audience eager to immerse themselves in the macabre, offering them a chance to take home pieces that reflect the eerie and mysterious spirit of the festival. Whether it's haunted trinkets, eerie artwork, or bewitching crafts, let your products add an extra layer of intrigue to the thrilling experience of our festival. Get ready to enchant festival-goers with your one-of-a-kind creations that capture the essence of the horror genre. Fill out a vendor request to be featured at the festival.