Submit your Film to
Dead Northern Film Festival

Dead Northern is open to short films, feature films, and documentaries in the fantasy, thriller, and horror genres. All production techniques, forms & budgets are accepted.

We only accept online screeners either through Film Freeway or by getting in touch with us directly

 Films must be provided in DCP format for the festival screening, full delivery instructions will be provided on notification of selection.

Should your film be accepted to the festival it must be provided in DCP, Flat 1:89 or Scope 2:39 video format, with sound 5.1.
The Cinema cannot accept any other format.

Either a physical copy of the DCP must be sent directly to the Cinema or chosen films must be uploaded via the supplied link

Please note: Short films should be a maximum of around 25 minutes, and longer submissions should be submitted in the feature category.

The primary contact completing the submission process must be authorised to submit the film for consideration. Films submitted must have permission from a distributor or sales agent representing the film, and the applicant must have obtained necessary clearances for the inclusion of any copyrighted music and images used. With this submission, the applicant confirms that they possess all rights necessary for the screening of the submitted film.

Dead Northern guarantees that your film will never be used in any way other than that to which you agree.

Films previously submitted to Dead Northern will not be considered.

 There is a submission fee to enter your film. All submissions are final, and there are no refunds. As of Oct 2025 the Fees are as follows:

Short film pricing

Standard: £10/ Student: £5

Film Freeway Gold Members: £4.50

Feature Film

Standard: £30 / Student: £15

Film Freeway Gold Members: £15

Documentary Pricing

Standard: £30 / Student: £15

Film Freeway Gold Members: £15

Music Video Pricing

Standard: £5 / Student: £2.50

Film Freeway Gold Members: £4.50

You may enter as many films as you wish. Each entry requires a separate submission form, fee, and upload.

If the original language of any dialogue or text featured in the film is not English, the preview and screening copy must be subtitled in English, unless this is at variance with the filmmaker’s intention.

All programming selections are at the discretion of the Dead Northern Directors, whose decision is final.

Dead Northern will not provide comments on films before submission, nor reasons for rejection of a submitted film, however, we are happy to provide informal feedback on individual films after the festival has taken place. Note that this is a non-binding commitment.

Dead Northern will not confirm the receipt of submissions and preview copies. All applicants will be notified via e-mail about the selection or rejection of their film.

Films in our programme may screen twice. Films may be screened privately to the jury or accredited guests. Films may also be included in other public programmes, subject to the submitter’s permission.

There are no fees for participating in the festival. Participants are not entitled to claim rental or other fees for the screenings of their films at the festival.

If selected for the festival, the submitter authorises Dead Northern to file their film in the festival archive, where it may be made available for further screenings or events promoted by the festival itself, solely for cultural and not for commercial purposes.

In addition to the reproduction of stills from selected films for all Dead Northern publications and press, selected films may also be screened as part of preview screenings to promote Dead Northern.

If possible please supply digital and printed copies of any marketing material. For printed marketing material we ask that this is signed by at least the director. These are non-returnable and will be used as prizes in our charity raffle.

 At the point of payment on your submission, you will be asked if you have read and agreed with the festival’s regulations. By agreeing to proceed with your submission, you agree to these regulations, and your application can then be processed. The entry of a film is binding and implies the acceptance of these regulations. In the event of disagreement concerning the interpretation of the regulations, the interpretation of the festival will take precedence. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in the submission being disqualified. These regulations are subject to change without prior notice.

DEAD NORTHERN encourages all selected filmmakers to attend the festival. Full details of ticketing arrangements and support will be included in any notification of acceptance into the festival.

Dead Northern is open to;

• • Short Film
  • Feature films
  • Documentaries
  • Music Videos

In the following genres

• • Horror
  • Fantasy
  • Thriller

All production techniques, forms & budgets are accepted.

Dead Northern's commitment to celebrating excellence in horror cinema shines through our prestigious awards ceremony. Our panel of judges, comprising industry experts and enthusiasts, meticulously evaluates and selects the best horror films showcased at our festival. These awards not only honour exceptional talent but also inspire filmmakers to push boundaries and innovate within the genre. Awards are given for the following;

• Best Feature Film
• Short films
• Dead Northern Award
• Best International Feature Film
• Best Short Film
• Fresh Meat Award
• Best Cinematography
• Best Performance
• Best Supporting Performance
• Best Special Effects
• Bloody Good Death Award

You can submit your film through our official submission platform, Film Freeway

Simply create an account, upload your film, and follow the instructions to complete your submission. Make sure you meet all technical and eligibility requirements outlined on our submission page.

We currently only accept online screeners submitted Via Film Freeway please follow this link to submit your film.

Short film means short. Ideally around the 15-minute mark but a maximum of 25 minutes - If you want to submit a film longer than 25 minutes please submit as a feature film

There is a submission fee to enter your film. All submissions are final, and there are no refunds.

Short film pricing

Short films in fantasy, thriller, and horror of all production techniques, forms, and budgets.

• Regular Deadline
• Standard: £10
• Student: £5
• Film Freeway Gold Members: £4.50

Feature Film Pricing

Feature films in fantasy, thriller, and horror of all production techniques, forms, and budgets.

• Regular Deadline
• Standard: £30
• Student: £15
• Film Freeway Gold Members: £15

Documentary Pricing

Documentaries in fantasy, thriller, and horror of all production techniques, forms, and budgets.

• Regular Deadline
• Standard: £30
• Student: £15
• Film Freeway Gold Members: £15

Music Video Pricing

Music VideoMusic Video in fantasy, thriller, and horror of all production techniques, forms, and budgets.

• Regular Deadline
• Standard: £5
• Student: £2.50
•  Gold Members: £4.50

Please note all prices are correct as of Oct 2024 - Prices are at the discretion of Dead Northern Ltd and may change at any time.

Submit your film at Film Freeway

Whilst Film Freeway can accept most formats please note that any accepted submissions will need to be provided in DCP format.

The Cinema cannot accept any other format than DCP

All films (including Features, Short, Documentaries and Music Videos) screened in our cinema must be provided as;

• DCP
• Flat 1:89 or Scope 2:39 video format
• 5.1 Sound

Your DCP (Digital Cinema Package) should be formatted to industry standards with a resolution of 2K or 4K. We recommend providing it on a USB drive, formatted as NTFS or exFAT, to ensure compatibility with our screening equipment.

DCP files can be very large

SSD / HDD*

USB Drive* - Please note the transfer speed of the USB Drive, those with low transfer rates have been known to have issues when transferring large files

Online File Transfer such as Dropbox, Google Drive, We Transfer or similar

*Please Note: we cannot guarantee returning SSD/HDD/USB Drives

**Please note: Google Drive can alter the file names of large files when compressing

Yes, we can assist with converting your film to a DCP format for a fee. Please contact us in advance if you require this service, and we'll provide more details on the process and costs.

Yes, you can submit multiple films, but each must be entered separately with its own submission fee. This applies whether you're submitting multiple shorts, features, or a combination of both.

Yes, if your film is not in English, it must have English subtitles. Subtitles should be clear, easy to read, and timed correctly. Films in English do not need subtitles, although we do recommend them for accessibility.

Absolutely! We encourage filmmakers to attend the festival, interact with the audience, and participate in Q&A sessions. Selected filmmakers will receive a complimentary pass, and additional tickets will be available for purchase at a discounted rate.

Waivers are available on a case-by-case basis, primarily for student filmmakers, films from underrepresented communities, and special partnerships. If you believe you qualify, please contact us with a brief explanation of your situation.

Yes, you must have the rights to all music and sound used in your film. This includes original scores, licensed tracks, and sound effects. Proof of rights may be requested, so please ensure all necessary permissions are in place.

Our selection committee consists of experienced professionals from a diverse range of backgrounds and taste in the film and horror industry. Each film is evaluated based on originality, storytelling, direction, production quality, and overall impact. We aim to curate a diverse and exciting line-up that showcases the best in horror.

We are looking for films that push the boundaries of horror, whether through innovative storytelling, striking visuals, or bold thematic exploration. From psychological thrillers to supernatural tales, we value creativity, originality, and a passion for the genre.

If your film is selected, you will receive an official acceptance email with further instructions. This will include details on supplying your DCP, promotional materials, and opportunities to participate in Q&A sessions and panels. You’ll also be eligible for awards consideration.

If your film is not selected, don’t be discouraged. Film selection is a competitive process, and many factors come into play. We encourage you to keep creating and consider submitting your future projects. Unfortunately, we cannot provide individual feedback on films that are not selected.

By submitting your film, you agree to adhere to our technical compliance requirements, including file formats, resolution, and sound quality. Films that do not meet these standards may be subject to disqualification. Please refer to our submission guidelines for full terms and conditions.

Subtitles should be embedded in the digital file or provided as a separate SRT file. Make sure the subtitles are accurate, properly timed, and easy to read. If your film is selected, we may request additional formats for subtitles to ensure compatibility during screenings.

Yes, Dead Northern welcomes submissions from filmmakers around the globe. Horror is a universal language, and we are excited to showcase films from different cultures and perspectives.

Yes, we accept films that have been screened at other festivals. However, we ask that any online releases or premieres be clearly noted in your submission, as this may affect the film’s eligibility for certain awards.

Dead Northern does not cover additional fees for screening or licensing. Filmmakers are responsible for ensuring all necessary rights and permissions are secured before submission.

We do accept works in progress, but they must be clearly marked as such when submitted. Please indicate what aspects of the film are incomplete (e.g., colour grading, sound mix). Final versions must be completed and provided if the film is selected.

Once a film has been submitted, modifications are not permitted through the submission platform. However, if you need to make an urgent change, please contact us directly, and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

Due to the high volume of submissions, we are unable to provide individual feedback for all films. However, filmmakers whose work is shortlisted or selected may receive insights and notes from our selection team.