Offering horror fans an annual diet of monsters, madmen, and things that go bump in the night, the Highlands Horror Film Fest returns to the Jersey Shore (Highlands, New Jersey) for its fifth season. A rising genre film festival that has been the home for award winning horror short films, animation, documentaries, student films, and features, the Highlands Horror Film Fest will return in 2023 to their beachfront venue and hosting it’s “Jersey Night” and Awards Ceremony at Kevin Smith’s famed Smodcastle Cinema.
During the last four years, the Highland Horror Film Fest has presented some of the best modern and award winning genre films. Entertaining as much as challenging the HHFF viewer, the festival has featured award winning films like the documentary The History of Metal and Horror, The Andy Baker Tape, Dark Tales from Channel X, For Roger, and One Must Fall.
“The Highlands Horror Film Fest was a kick-a** experience. It’s clear the entire team are super passionate about independent film and giving filmmakers a great platform. Rob, Jay, and everyone involved hosted a great event… with great films… and an all around great vibe. Do yourself a favor and submit here…. we had an enthusiastic crowd turn up for a packed screening of The Andy Baker Tape and we were lucky enough to walk away with the COOLEST film festival trophy ever conceived.” – Filmmaker Bret Lada “The Andy Baker Tape”
A welcoming home for global horror short filmmakers and student filmmakers from across the country, festival founder/Festival Director Rob Kneller and Assistant Festival Director/ Programmer Jay Kay are growing the two nights of frights October 7th and 8th into a must for the fans of the Halloween season.
“I am so proud to see a grassroots horror festival continue to grow in such a beautiful part of the Jersey Shore like the Highlands… There is something special going on here for horror fans and the pure love that Rob shows for the horror genre! As both an alum and now board member, I have already seen the growth and excitement that each edition brings in for the fans and filmmakers. No matter the nightmare screening, Rob has something special here and the 2023 edition will be the best yet, with us presenting part of the program at Kevin Smith’s Smodcastle Cinema!” – Jay Kay
The Highland Horror Film Fest welcomes filmmakers to submit their visions of horror via Filmfreeway at Filmfreeway.com/HighlandsFilmFest with the “Regular Deadline” running until July 15th. Filmmakers can choose the submission categories of animation, documentary, student films, short film, and features with the festival submission window closing in early September. The festival will have in-depth Q&As, guests, and panels over the weekend, PLUS the infamous skull and serpent awards that have had filmmakers howling!
