13Horror.com Film & Screenplay Contest 2026

With feedback sent on every single entry, 13Horror.com is back with THE go-to contest for horror screenwriters and film-makers!
The categories for the contest are:
1) Feature-length screenplays
2) Short screenplays
3) Feature-length movies
4) Short movies
The contest includes feedback on every single entry from one of our industry judges explaining how screenplays or films did against the judging criteria. This is an extremely popular feature of our contest and is on of the reasons why our contest is recognized by screenwriters and film-makers as one of the best contests in horror.

Winning screenplays and films will be chosen based on the following criteria:

(i) originality (ii) story (iii) characterization (iv) presentation (v) overall impression Feedback will be sent on every single entry to each writer and filmmaker regarding their respective work as soon as a judge has completed their review. The deadline for entries is February 8, 2026. Screenplays and movies selected as finalists and winners will be announced on February 22, 2026.

Awards & Prizes

FEATURE-LENGTH SCREENPLAY CONTEST One grand prize winner will receive: - $1,000.00 - Professional publication of their screenplay, including a professional cover design and royalties for life - The coveted 13Horror.com Golden Skull award - A letter of introduction from 13Horror.com - A framed winner’s certificate - A horror movie model - A place in the 13Horror.com Hall of Fame

Second and third place winners will receive: - $500.00 and $350.00 - Professional publication of their screenplay, including a professional cover design and royalties for life - The coveted 13Horror.com Silver Skull award - A letter of introduction from 13Horror.com - A framed winner's certificate - A horror movie model - A place in the 13Horror.com Hall of Fame 10 x additional winners will receive: - Professional publication of their screenplay, including a professional cover design and royalties for life - A winner’s certificate including their laurels - A place in the 13Horror.com Hall of Fame

SHORT SCREENPLAY CONTEST One grand prize winner will receive: - $500.00 - Professional publication of their screenplay, including a professional cover design and royalties for life - A letter of introduction from 13Horror.com - A framed winner’s certificate - A place in the 13Horror.com Hall of Fame Second place and third place winners will receive: - $300.00 and $200.00 - Professional publication of their screenplay, including a professional cover design and royalties for life - A letter of introduction from 13Horror.com - A framed winner's certificate - A place in the 13Horror.com Hall of Fame

10 additional winners will receive: - Professional publication of their screenplay, including a professional cover design and royalties for life - A winner's certificate - A place in the 13Horror.com Hall of Fame

In addition to the above winners in both screenplay categories, entrants who score highly enough to qualify as Finalists will be eligible for exclusive discounted publishing packages and awarded Finalist laurels.

FEATURE-LENGTH FILM Laurels will be awarded for: Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor & Best Actress, Best Horror Baddy and Best Special Effects

SHORT FILM Laurels will be awarded for: Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor & Actress, Scariest Moment, Best Horror Baddy and Best Special Effects

Selected films will also be offered distribution via 13Horror.com's Amazon Prime distribution channel.

Our judges include Andrew Hannon, editor of the international best-selling 'Thirteen' horror anthologies and writer of several critically acclaimed screenplays, films, novels and stage plays, including Stage Fright, Creepy Hill, CarnEvil and the Dwell In These Demons series.

Winning screenplays and films will be chosen based on the following criteria:

(i) originality (ii) story (iii) characterization (iv) presentation (v) overall impression Feedback will be sent on every single entry to each writer and filmmaker regarding their respective work as soon as a judge has completed their review.

The deadline for entries is February 8, 2026. Screenplays and movies selected as finalists and winners will be announced on February 22, 2026.

Entrant also agrees to Stage32.com terms and conditions.