THE FILM FEST TAKES PLACE IN THE SCREENING ROOM AT HORROR FOR THE HOLIDAYS
HORROR SHORT FILMS
Take a seat and check out some killer horror shorts while you're at the event. The horror shorts will be presented in blocks so you can make sure to see all of the shorts up for awards. You may see a few holiday themed horror films, but the BOT Film Fest features all sub-genres in horror. Awards are announced in the Award Showcase on the last day of the event. If you're interested in showing a film, get more info on submitting on Film Freeway.
SUBMIT YOUR FILM
SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN!
EXTENDED DEADLINE OCT 15, 2026
YOUR LAST CHANCE TO SUBMIT!
MAIN CATEGORIES
Best Film
Best Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Cinematography
HONARABLE MENTIONS
Best SFX Makeup
Best Score
Best Screenplay
Wild Card
AWARD SHOWCASE
TIME TBA
FILMMAKER MEETUPS
TIME & INFO TBA
FILMMAKER PANEL
DAY/TIME TBA
LESS IS GORE
THE ART OF THE HORROR SHORT
A filmmaker panel featuring Cliff Bogart, Kyle Bogart, Chris McInroy and MC, Kris Phipps
Think making a horror short is easier than making a feature? Think again. Short films are their own strange little beasts, and you only have a few minutes to scare ’em, shock ’em, gross ’em out or just make sure they remember you. We’ll dissect what makes a killer horror short, from that first creepy idea to the final cut, then dig into festivals, promotion, finding an audience, and how one small film can become a bloody big step toward making your first feature.
Filmmakers and brothers, Cliff Bogart and Kyle Bogart have been directing independent shorts and features in Austin for over a decade. Their horror shorts have drawn over a half-million views online and premiered at festivals around the world including SXSW, Fantastic Fest, and the Friars Club in New York.
Chris McInroy’s practical effects driven horror-comedy short films have had success at festivals all over the world. His film, GUTS, was nominated for a 2023 Fangoria Chainsaw Award. He likes werewolves and dipping chips in dips.
Our MC, Kris Phipps, is a filmmaker and creative producer of horror studio, Garth Manor — creators of a prolific run of award-winning short films.
The Bogart Brothers (top), Chris McInroy (right) and inset, Kris Phipps
FILMMAKER MEETUP
TBA