Submissions For The 2025 Overlook Film Festival Are Now Open.
The festival accepts Feature Films and short films in the horror, thriller and sci-fi genres. Discounts are provided for Louisiana-made short films. The festival does not offer fee waivers.
“One of the country’s best film festivals.” – FANGORIA
“One of the 25 Bloody Best Genre Festivals in the World.” — MovieMaker Magazine
“A definitive snapshot of everything going on in the horror genre right now.” — Time Out NY
“The best time I’ve ever had at a film festival. Full stop.” — Bloody Disgusting
“A living, breathing horror movie” — The Verge
“Literally the best fest experience I had ever been a part of.” — Collider
“One of our absolute favorite festivals” — Screen Anarchy
“Bloody hell! We love the Overlook Film Festival! There’s nowhere else in the world that could make our strange band of vampires feel so welcome. We send our undying respect to everyone from the organizers to the fans who make this festival the coolest place on this or any planet.” — Jim Jarmusch
Testimonials From Previous Accepted Submitting Filmmakers:
“A truly unforgettable experience. Overlook showcases an incredibly diverse body of films that reflect the entire spectrum of horror. The festival staff were great partners and took such good care of us.” — Chris Mckay (RENFIELD, THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE)
“There isn’t really another festival like the Overlook Film Festival. It’s such a beautifully curated good time, for filmmakers and fans and everyone in between. I get why people travel from across America to attend this festival — it feels like a community, and that community gets to gather and share what they love most: Horror films that make you think, laugh, and jump.” — David Farrier (MISTER ORGAN, TICKLED)
“Overlook was a perfect festival experience. There was such thoughtful programming and so much audience engagement, and the quality of the venue was superb. I found myself attending so many other films just as a fan — the festival introduced me to amazing horror premieres of films I hadn’t heard of as well as movies I was already desperate to see. Their special events were great bonding experiences and good old-fashioned morbid fun. It definitely lived up to the spirit of its host city, the most haunted and celebratory place on earth.” -Laura Moss (BIRTH/REBIRTH)
“I had the best experience at Overlook. I met so many amazing filmmakers from around the world. There were experiences, meet-ups and parties galore. The food was *chef’s kiss*. And best of all, the programmed films celebrated the diversity and breadth of horror. Other film festivals could take a cue from the creativity and excellence of Overlook.” — Michael Schwartz (SNATCHED)
“The Overlook Film Festival continues to raise the bar for genre fests. Its cunning programming, unique live experiences, and devoted curators, organizers, and jury make it a thrilling event for horrormakers and our rabid fans…” – Zeke Farrow (Possessions)
“There’s not enough space to write just how much I love this festival! The organizers are absolutely fantastic, and they treat their filmmakers amazingly! Even going online because of the pandemic, it was an absolute blast. I will be coming back every year to this one!” -Angel Hernandez Suarez (Nom)
“Overlook was one of my most fun festival experiences, a flavor as magical and heady as New Orleans. If you get a chance to go, DO IT.” – Izzy Lee (The Obliteration of Chickens)
“Overlook is a blast of a film festival! Communication was quick and clear, and they navigated the online festival beautifully during a pandemic. It was an honor to be included in such a top notch lineup. Even beyond the films, the events programmed were some of the best and most informative I’ve seen. I’m looking forward to be back!} – Jorge Lucas (Bakemono)