The much-loved international horror and cult film festival Grimmfest – originating right here in Manchester – is offering a huge 50% off for filmmakers wanting to submit their films for entry, as well as revealing the exciting news of the award categories and judges for this year’s festival.

Grimmfest

Early bird submissions for the festival (which is set to take place in Manchester 7-11 October) were due to close imminently, but in response to the current uncertainty for many caused by the Coronavirus situation, Grimmfest has decided to extend the deadline and offer film makers 50% off all submissions for a limited period. This marks an ideal opportunity for more horror filmmakers to share their films, with the hope of being screened at the festival! Film makers with completed genre films, please go to https://filmfreeway.com/Grimmfest, use the code: Corona2020discount and claim 50% off the full submission fee. 

Festival director Simeon Halligan reflected:

“We encourage film makers and fans alike to, submit their films, get involved and join us this autumn/fall in Manchester UK, on the flip side of this difficult time and to celebrate genre cinema, together! There's never been a better time to discover Grimmfest!”

That is not all! Grimmfest is after all known for serving up the best cutting-edge new horror and genre films – now in its twelfth year – with filmmakers from all over the world submitting exciting examples of horror, dark fantasy, sci-fi and more, with the hope of receiving one of the prestigious Reaper awards. The award categories for 2020 have just been announced and are as follows: BEST FEATURE, BEST DIRECTOR, BEST SHORT FILM, BEST ACTOR, BEST ACTRESS, BEST SCREENPLAY, BEST SCORE, BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY, BEST SFX, BEST SCARE and the coveted AUDIENCE AWARD. So each submission has plenty to play for!

Grimmfest Awards

The winners will be announced on the closing night of Grimmfest 2020, with a full list of award prizes to be announced soon. But who are the judges? Also revealed is the 2020 Special Jury – who will view and vote on the selected films and choose award-winners. Already announced was special guest Mick Garris (renowned for the Masters of Horror TV Series, Nightmare Cinema and much more) who will be the Chair of the judging panel and will himself also receive the annual LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD presented by key sponsor, Horror Channel.

Mick will be joined on the judging panel with four other celebrated figures from across the horror genre:  the US based Film Director Chelsea Stardust (Credits include Fangoria's Satanic Panic), award-winning writer Preston Fassel, Abigail Blackmore – an esteemed actor, writer and director (movies include UK horror comedy Tales From The Lodge which opened Grimmfest 2019) and Editor in Chief at Dread Central Josh Millican – who is also the host and creator of the Chronic Horror web series!

For anyone wanting to attend Grimmfest 2020 – from film fans to filmmakers - full festival passes are also now available from Grimmfest.com. The festival is due to take place 7-11 October 2020 at the Odeon Great Northern, Manchester.