4th Dark Scream Film Festival Announces Dates and Venue for 2026 Edition

Dark Scream Film Festival, India’s genre-focused film festival, has announced the dates and venue for its 2026 edition. The festival will take place on 24 and 25 October 2026 at Veda Black Box, 120, Aram Nagar – 2, Versova, Andheri West, Mumbai. Returning to Mumbai for another edition, Dark Scream Film Festival will once again bring together independent genre films from India and around the world. The festival is dedicated to cinema across Horror, Thriller, Sci-Fi, Noir, Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Zombie, and Queer Horror, providing a platform for filmmakers working with darker, unconventional, and genre-driven stories. One of the distinctive aspects of Dark Scream Film Festival is its dedicated space for genres that are still rarely represented at Indian film festivals. The festival features dedicated programming for Zombie films and Queer Horror, alongside its broader horror, thriller, science-fiction, fantasy, and noir selections. The 2026 festival will begin on Saturday, 24 October at 5:30 PM, with screenings and festival activities continuing through the evening. The second day, Sunday, 25 October, will begin at 3:30 PM. The two-day programme is expected to feature a diverse selection of short and feature-length films, bringing different approaches to genre filmmaking together under one roof. From supernatural and psychological horror to thrillers, dystopian science fiction, dark fantasy, noir, zombie stories, and queer horror, the festival aims to showcase the expanding landscape of independent genre cinema. The complete 2026 festival lineup and screening schedule will be announced soon, along with the audience registration link. With the dates now confirmed, genre film enthusiasts can mark 24–25 October 2026 on their calendars for another weekend of dark cinema in Mumbai. Dark Scream Film Festival 202624–25 October 2026Veda Black Box, 120, Aram Nagar – 2, Versova, Andheri West, Mumbai Further announcements regarding the official selections, programme, registration, and other festival updates will be released soon.
Final Call for Filmmakers: Dark Scream Film Festival Submissions Close 25 September

Dark Scream Film Festival – India’s Genre Film Festival is approaching its Final Submission Deadline, giving filmmakers one last opportunity to enter their films for the upcoming edition. The Final Submission Deadline is 25 September, and filmmakers submitting during the final call can use the special discount code DARKSCREAM26 to receive 20% off their submission fee. Your Film. Your Nightmare. Our Screen. Dark Scream Film Festival is dedicated to celebrating bold, unconventional, and atmospheric genre cinema from India and around the world. The festival welcomes filmmakers who aren’t afraid to explore the strange, frightening, mysterious, fantastical, and darker corners of storytelling. Submissions are open across genres including Horror, Thriller, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Noir, Zombies, Crime, Queer Horror, and other forms of genre-driven cinema. Whether your film is a terrifying one-minute experiment, an unsettling horror short, a twisted thriller, a dark animated story, an AI-created nightmare, or a full-length feature, Dark Scream Film Festival offers a platform to bring your work in front of a genre-loving audience. Final Submission Details Final Deadline: 25 SeptemberSpecial Discount: 20% OFFDiscount Code: DARKSCREAM26Submit the film with Filmfreeway and Festhome This is the final call for filmmakers. Once the deadline closes, submissions for this edition will come to an end. If you’ve been waiting to send us your nightmare, now is the time. Hurry up. Submit your film before the final deadline and become part of Dark Scream Film Festival – India’s Genre Film Festival. FINAL DEADLINE: 25 SEPTEMBER | USE CODE: DARKSCREAM26
Dark Scream Film Festival 2025 Leaves Behind a Trail of Horror, Thrills, and Unforgettable Cinematic Nightmares
The 3rd edition of the Dark Scream Film Festival has successfully concluded, leaving behind chilling memories, horror vibes, and a collection of unforgettable cinematic nightmares. Held on 20–21 December 2025, the festival brought together horror, thriller, sci-fi, fantasy, and genre film enthusiasts for two thrilling days of independent cinema at Veda Black Box, 120, Aram Nagar – 2, Versova, Andheri West, Mumbai. This year’s edition showcased 50 films from 18 countries, offering audiences a diverse selection of genre storytelling from around the world. From psychological horror and supernatural tales to dark thrillers and experimental genre films, the festival celebrated the creativity and vision of independent filmmakers pushing the boundaries of cinema. festival in glances Over the course of the two-day event, filmmakers, cinephiles, and horror fans gathered to experience a carefully curated programme of international films, creating an immersive atmosphere filled with suspense, excitement, and thought-provoking storytelling. As we look back on another successful edition, we would like to thank all the filmmakers, jury members, volunteers, partners, and audience members who made the festival possible. Your passion for genre cinema continues to inspire us and helps Dark Scream Film Festival grow year after year. Stay tuned for more photos, festival highlights, award announcements, and updates from the Dark Scream Film Festival. Until next time—keep the nightmares alive.
Dark Scream Film Festival 2025 Announces Award Winners
The 3rd edition of the Dark Scream Film Festival celebrated outstanding achievements in horror, thriller, sci-fi, and genre filmmaking from around the world. Following two days of screenings, the jury recognized exceptional films and filmmakers whose work captivated audiences with their creativity, suspense, and storytelling. Award Winners – Dark Scream Film Festival 2025 🏆 Best Nightmare Short (Best Short Horror Film)The DevilsDirected by Eduardo Jiménez Castañeda 🏆 Best Desi Nightmare Short (Best Indian Horror Short Film)UninvitedDirected by Joshua George John 🏆 Best Twisted Reel (Best Short Thriller Film)De rodillasDirected by Antón Tendero 🏆 Best Desi Twisted Reel (Best Indian Thriller Short Film)Kalp FictionDirected by Siddharth Kumar 🏆 Best Stellar Shadow (Best Short Sci-Fi/Noir Film)MOSKENSTRAUMENDirected by Daniel Wolters 🏆 Best Haunted Frame (Best Horror Animation Film)Whisper of the WellDirected by Elif Dokur 🏆 Best Feature FilmThe CellarDirected by Jamie David Langlands 🏆 Best DirectorWHISTLEGanesh Baniya & Mohak Girdhar 🏆 Best Female DirectorHappy Birthday ZeenuDeepti Sharma 🏆 Best ScreenwriterBishop’s DayChristopher Kelly 🏆 Audience Choice AwardPop MonstersMegan Brooks 🏆 Best Performance (Male)In Silence, Demons KnockJon Jordan 🏆 Best Performance (Female)KillfeedStevie Lynn Jones The Dark Scream Film Festival congratulates all the winners, nominees, and official selections. Their passion for genre cinema continues to push the boundaries of storytelling and keeps the spirit of horror, thriller, and sci-fi filmmaking alive.
Dark Scream Film Festival Announces Opening and Closing Films for Its 3rd Edition
The 3rd edition of the Dark Scream Film Festival – India’s Genre Film Festival has officially announced its Opening and Closing Films lineup. The festival will take place on 20–21 December 2025 at Veda Black Box, 120, Aram Nagar – 2, Versova, Andheri West, Mumbai, bringing together horror, thriller, sci-fi, fantasy, and genre film enthusiasts for two days of chilling cinematic experiences. Opening Films The festival will open with a powerful showcase of international genre cinema featuring four remarkable short films from Germany, Mexico, India, and France. MOSKENSTRAUMEN Director: Daniel Wolters29 Minutes | German | Germany After murdering her violent husband, Irene finds herself in a cell of the Corbyn Mental Asylum. But this place seems more terrifying than her home. Her last escape: the subconsciousness… The Devils (Asian Premiere)Director: Eduardo Jiménez Castañeda28 Minute | Spanish | MexicoA man, accused of murdering his own goddaughter, is visited by a demon who offers him an escape from his sentence. WOHHH (Her) (Maharashtra Premiere)Director: Jai BatraTen years ago, Arjun Singh and Tara Kapoor were inseparable—two young souls lost in love, dreaming of a future together. Their days were filled with laughter, stolen moments, and whispered promises of forever. But forever never came. Now, a decade later, Arjun finds himself in the dead of night, at an almost desolate five-star hotel room, a far cry from the life he once imagined. He is no longer the boy who believed in love—he is a man hardened by crime, preparing for the biggest drug deal of his life, one that could set him free. As the clock strikes 3:33 AM, shadows of the past begin to creep in. He sees glimpses of Tara—her laughter, her touch, her presence—as if time itself is mocking him. Arjun is trapped in a cycle of paranoia, addiction, and guilt, spiraling between love, regret, and self-destruction. With time seemingly frozen, he must confront the demons within before they consume him entirely. Trapped in a never-ending cycle of obsession and self-destruction, WOHHH (Her) is a haunting psychological thriller that explores the cost of lost love and the ghosts we can never outrun. The Sweet Sound of Branch Shredder (Indian Premiere) Director: Etienne Olivier Muller22 Minutes | French | Francea man is depressed and spent his days in his couch. One day, an advertising about a schredder appears on his tv. The schredder will change his Life Together, these films promise to set the tone for a thrilling festival weekend filled with mystery, suspense, psychological horror, and unforgettable storytelling. Closing Film The festival will conclude with the acclaimed feature film: The Cellar (Indian Premiere)Director: Jamie David Langlands84 Minutes | English | United Kingdom A young girl wakes up imprisoned underground, with amnesia. She must escape, unravel the mystery behind her captivity, and confront her personal struggles. A suspenseful tale of survival, truth, and inner turmoil unfolds. As the Closing Film of Dark Scream Film Festival 2025, The Cellar will bring the festival to a haunting and memorable conclusion, showcasing the very best of independent genre filmmaking. With 50 films from 18 countries, the 3rd edition of Dark Scream Film Festival promises to be its biggest and most exciting edition yet. 🎟 Festival Passes Are Now Available Secure your seat and experience two days of horror, thriller, sci-fi, fantasy, and genre cinema from around the world. Book Your Festival Pass:https://www.district.in/events/screening-of-dark-scream-film-festival-dec20-2025-buy-tickets We look forward to welcoming filmmakers, genre enthusiasts, and cinema lovers to Mumbai this December for an unforgettable celebration of dark and daring storytelling.
Dark Scream Film Festival Announces Dates for Its 3rd Edition
The wait is over for horror, thriller, sci-fi, and fantasy film enthusiasts! The Dark Scream Film Festival has officially announced the dates for its highly anticipated 3rd edition, which will take place on 20th and 21st December 2025 in Mumbai. The festival will be hosted at Veda Black Box, 120, Aram Nagar – 2, Versova, Andheri West, Mumbai, bringing together filmmakers, cinema lovers, and industry professionals for two exciting days dedicated to genre cinema. The upcoming edition promises to be the biggest one yet, with 50 films from 18 countries scheduled to be screened across the two-day festival. The carefully curated lineup will showcase a diverse range of horror, thriller, sci-fi, fantasy, and experimental genre films from both emerging and established filmmakers around the world. Since its inception, Dark Scream Film Festival has been committed to providing a platform for bold and innovative storytelling while celebrating independent filmmakers who push the boundaries of genre filmmaking. The festival has steadily grown into a recognized destination for audiences seeking unique cinematic experiences beyond mainstream entertainment. In addition to film screenings, attendees can look forward to filmmaker interactions, networking opportunities, and engaging discussions surrounding the art of genre cinema. More details regarding the official selections, screening schedule, jury members, special guests, and festival activities will be announced in the coming months. Mark your calendars and get ready for two unforgettable days of thrilling cinematic experiences at the 3rd Dark Scream Film Festival, happening on 20–21 December 2025 in Mumbai. For festival updates, follow Dark Scream Film Festival on social media and stay tuned for further announcements.
Dark Scream Special Screening: A Night of 5 Horror Short Films
Dark Scream Film Festival invites horror enthusiasts to a special screening featuring five chilling short films from around the world. Join us for an evening of suspense, mystery, and fear as we showcase acclaimed independent horror cinema from the United States, India, France, and Canada. 📅 Date: 20 April 2025🕖 Time: 7:00 PM Onwards📍 Venue: Cat Café Studio, Bungalow No. 63, Aram Nagar – 1, Versova, Mumbai Screening Line-Up Chateau Sauvignon: TerroirDirected by D.M. Night MaireUnited States | English | 13 Minutes Third-FloorDirected by Amandeep SinghIndia | Hindi | 14 Minutes 13 (Thirteen)Directed by Susad SudhakarIndia | Malayalam | 25 Minutes RenaissanceDirected by Brice ZephirFrance | 9 Minutes Saint-SacrificeDirected by Jean-Claude LeblancCanada | French | 15 Minutes The screening presents a diverse collection of horror stories, ranging from psychological nightmares and supernatural encounters to dark mysteries and unsettling tales that explore the unknown. Get ready for an unforgettable evening celebrating independent horror cinema with fellow film lovers and filmmakers. Admission is subject to venue capacity.