Nightmares Film Festival (Oct. 16 to 19, at the legendary Gateway Film Center) has unwrapped its complete tenth anniversary edition lineup. The “Cannes of horror,” as the four-day celebration of #BetterHorror is known, will present 18 features, 130 shorts, and more than 120 attending filmmakers and screenwriters, alongside one-of-a-kind events, world premieres, and rare in-person screenings to bring together horror fans from across the globe.
Festival co-founder and programmer Jason Tostevin said the milestone year delivers the kind of unforgettable moments that set Nightmares apart. “Nightmares has always been about giving people what they can’t get anywhere else, and what they’ll never forget – the premieres, the only-in-a-theater experiences, and the chance to be surrounded by creators and fans who welcome you and make you feel like part of a movement. We’ve doubled down for our tenth year and, for me, this lineup is legendary.”
The 2025 program features a diverse slate of genre films that spans everything from found-footage nightmares to gritty crime thrillers, with major premieres highlighted by:
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Adrian Țofei (Be My Cat: A Film for Anne)’s nine-years-in-the-making We Put the World to Sleep (world premiere)
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Kevin Lewis (Willy’s Wonderland)’s twisted cult mystery Pig Hill (North American premiere)
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Chris Stuckmann’s eagerly awaited directorial debut, Shelby Oaks (Midwest premiere)
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and Robbie Banfitch (The Outwaters)’s newest descent into terror, Tinsman Road (Midwest premiere).
Other highlights include Blood Barn, an ’80s throwback slasher (world premiere), If It Bleeds, a media-horror packed with genre icons (world premiere), and LandLord, a gritty noir-horror (North American premiere). Brandon Christensen’s Bodycam (Midwest premiere) and Tina Romero’s Queens of the Dead (Midwest premiere), introduced live by Columbus drag legend Nina West, round out other notables in a lineup that mixes rising creators with genre royalty.
Adding to the buzz is a slate of singular live events. One of the most anticipated is the world’s first audience playthrough of Afar, an interactive horror film from Jason Trost (The FP, Waves of Madness), who will travel from Australia to guide participants through the groundbreaking experience. Nightmares’ notorious Midnight Mind Fuck returns with Todd Rohal’s theatrical-only, X-rated shocker Fuck My Son! – never to be released on streaming. The festival also offers one of only two theatrical screenings in the world of V/H/S Halloween, a rare chance to experience the cult franchise’s newest entry in a cinema.
Festival co-founder and Gateway Film Center CEO Chris Hamel emphasized that the Nightmares experience extends beyond the screen. “Nightmares takes over the entire film center,” Hamel said. “From the cinemas to the speakeasy to the panels and late-night conversations, every corner buzzes with energy. Fans and filmmakers leave with new friends, new collaborators, and the feeling that they were part of something historic.”
In addition to screenings, badgeholders will gain access to craft workshops and panels, including Writing Cross-Platform with writer/director Hope Madden (Killer Pictures) and The New Distribution, the annual industry panel that brings distributors and marketers face-to-face with creators. Onesie Sunday, the festival’s beloved tradition of closing out the weekend in horror-themed pajamas, will also return. VIP badgeholders can access the secret festival speakeasy — hidden through a kitchen entrance — where they’ll mingle with the “NFF Sleepless” over themed drinks, including the infamous Chainsaw shot.
All films and screenplays in competition vie for the coveted Night Mare statuette, designed and sculpted by renowned toy and figure artist Tony Simione (Marvel, Star Wars, Godzilla, Alien).
Some VIP badges remain, but historically sell out in advance. The remaining badges, as well as individual tickets for features and shorts blocks, are available for purchase at https://nightmaresfest.com.
A complete overview of all selected feature, shorts and finalist screenplays is available here.
The festival is proudly supported by sponsors including Neon, Shudder, IFC, Dread Central, and Bloody Disgusting.
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