Nightmares Film Festival
Nightmares Film Festival returns to Gateway Film Center
October 21 – 24, 2021
“One of the Bloody Best Genre Fests in the World” —MovieMaker Magazine



A true destination horror and genre fest, Nightmares Film Festival (NFF) has been named one of the world’s top horror film festivals by every major genre outlet. Christened the “Cannes of horror” by iHorror, NFF and Gateway Film Center are dedicated to elevating horror, fostering an inclusive and supportive community of creators, and connecting those artists with audiences.
Major genre distributors will be in attendance, and new this year, all winners in short film categories will be offered paid, non-exclusive distribution through the subscription service HorrorPack. The NFF collection, called Bad Dreams, is scheduled for release in January 2022.
Individual tickets will go on sale in mid-October.
What to expect at this year’s festival
Premiere screenings from exceptional new voices, including The Scary of Sixty-First, We’re All Going to the World’s Fair, the World Premiere of The FP 3 – Escape from Bako, and a live orchestral score of James Quinn’s Ivory Wave presented on 35mm film.






The award-winning Fright Club podcast will record with a live audience, the legendary Late Night Mind Fuck returns (called “one of the most dangerous blocks of programming in any festival, anywhere” by Film Coterie), and NFF’s influential annual panels, Social Progress Through Horror and The New Distribution return.
A limited number of VIP passes are available now
The ultimate way to experience our celebration of genre cinema, NFF VIP passes offer the holder a guaranteed seat in every round of films, access to the VIP bar and lounge, and in-and-out privileges throughout the fest.
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Filmmaker? Submissions close on September 13.
“A wonderful, welcoming home for fans of independent horror and genre cinema” —Dread Central
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We cannot wait to share this year’s Festival with you.
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