Submission Rules
***PLEASE READ ALL RULES AND TERMS PRIOR TO SUBMITTING YOUR FILM***
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Thank you for your interest in submitting your film to the 2026 CalaSCAREus Film Festival. The 2026 film competition is open to short films from around the world. Submissions will be accepted through August 31, 2026, via FilmFreeway.
Our festival celebrates the full spectrum of horror. We welcome films that disturb, frighten, and explore the darker side of art.
From classic horror and sci-fi thrillers to animated nightmares and found-footage chills, if it evokes terror, we want to see it.
Submissions must be appropriate for a general public audience. Films that rely primarily on extreme or gratuitous violence, explicit sexual content, hate-based themes, or content intended to demean or target a specific group may be ineligible at the sole discretion of the festival.
Only digital submissions will be accepted. Submissions must comply with FilmFreeway’s current technical specifications. CalaSCAREus Film Festival is not responsible for playback issues resulting from non-compliant film formats or technical errors. FilmFreeway accepts all major video formats in full quality HD up to 10 GB and recommends using settings close to their output settings: H.264, MP4, with a maximum video bitrate of 2200 Kbps, audio of 128 Kbps AAC, 2 channel stereo, and a maximum video height of 720 pixels.
All payments are final. There are no refunds.
CalaSCAREus welcomes films of all ages. Submit your early works alongside your latest creations!
Films created using artificial intelligence or generative AI tools are not eligible. Submissions found to violate this rule will be disqualified without refund.
Applicants must have full rights to the use of the music and all additional content in the entered work.
Filmmakers retain all rights to their films and CalaSCAREus has no obligation to help with distribution outside of the CalaSCAREus Short Film Festival.
Submissions must be in English or include English subtitles.
Submitted films must not be subject to any current or pending litigations, nor the threat of litigation.
Films must not include content likely to induce epileptic seizures. If flashing lights or strobe effects are present, a clear seizure warning must be provided at the beginning of the film.
Submission does not guarantee live screening. CalaSCAREus Film Festival is not responsible for screening failures due to file errors, technical issues, or format incompatibilities. No cash value is associated with selection. We are not responsible for, nor do we undertake, the fixing, editing, or adjusting of any submitted files.
After the event, all winners will receive a downloadable PDF of the certificate via email.
Upon selection, the applicant agrees that the film may not be withdrawn from the festival for any reason within thirty (30) days of the event.
We reserve the right to disqualify or not select any film at our sole discretion, for any reason, without obligation to provide an explanation or refund.
If selected, applicant may provide CalaSCAREus Film Festival with a digital copy of my film’s movie poster (vertical format) for promotional use.
Any film associated with individuals exhibiting inappropriate or disruptive conduct may be disqualified at the festival’s discretion.
By submitting materials to CalaSCAREus Film Festival, the applicant agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless CalaSCAREus Film Festival, its affiliates, officers, employees, agents, and assigns from any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses, including but not limited to reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of or related to the submission of materials to the festival.
The applicant further agrees to indemnify and defend CalaSCAREus Film Festival against all claims, demands, losses, damages, judgments, liabilities, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or in connection with any third-party claims, whether groundless, based on any film, screenplay, or other materials submitted to the festival.
These rules and any disputes arising from participation in the CalaSCAREus Film Festival shall be governed by the laws of the State of California. Any legal action or proceeding shall be filed exclusively in a court of competent jurisdiction located in San Andreas, California.
Failure to comply with competition rules and regulations will result in disqualification and forfeiture of the submission fee.
Unauthorized use of the festival's name, logo, likeness, or any proprietary material is strictly prohibited and will result in legal action. CalaSCAREus Film Festival reserves the right to seek all legal remedies, including but not limited to damages and injunctive relief, for any infringement or unauthorized use of its intellectual property.
Any individual or entity found attempting to harm or defame the reputation of CalaSCAREus Film Festival will be held legally accountable to the fullest extent of the law. By submitting a film, the applicant acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agreed to all rules and terms outlined above.
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