The Oldest Horror Film Festival in the U.S. has been in Portland, OR the whole time – It’s the H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival®!
PORTLAND, OR. Kicking off the spooky season, H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival & CthulhuCon returns to all 3 screens of the Hollywood Theatre for its 31st annual event from October 2-4, 2026. The event draws international filmmakers, authors, and cosmic horror enthusiasts to the burgeoning Hollywood Film District and acts as a critical platform for underrepresented voices in cosmic horror cinema.
The film programming features over 50 short films and features curated from international independent filmmakers. Highlights include the US Premiere of ODDITIES, starring Adrienne Barbeau (The Fog), the PNW Premiere of ITHAQUA from Hammer Films, featuring the first original movie monster from the studio in more than 60 years! It stars Luke Hemsworth (Westworld), Kevin Durand (Clown in a Cornfield), and Indigenous actress Leenah Robinson (Taylor Sheridan’s 1923). The festival also showcases the West Coast Premiere of Valley of the Horntak starring Kathleen Kinmont (Bride of Re-Animator), and an insane double feature of everyone’s favorite cryptid, Frogman and Frogman Returns.
For longtime attendees, the spectacular short film line up is the main attraction, and this year’s lineup delivers the goods! 6 blocks of Short Films from 18 countries, animated Lovecraft adaptations, the Lovecraft Under the Gun 72 Hour Film competition screening, The Shorts of Madness, and capping off the weekend of Weird, a secret screening.
This year’s event features celebrated horror novelist Philip Fracassi as the Guest of Honor. Fracassi, known for acclaimed works like A Child Alone with Strangers, Gothic, and Boys in the Valley, heads a lineup that includes author readings, panel discussions, and special presentations at the Hollywood LIbrary.
In addition to the cinematic offerings, attendees will enjoy opening ceremonies with SORIAH, Portland’s own internationally acclaimed shamanic throat singer, live events with festival fixtures like the H. P. Lovecraft Historical Society, author readings, panel discussions exploring the full range of the genre, open gaming, after parties, and the Mall of Cthulhu with local artisans and publishers.
Festival Passes and single day tickets are available through the Hollywood Theatre website and box office.
For full schedule, film list, and updates, or to sign up for event announcements, visit the official website at hplff.com/portland
About the H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival & CthulhuCon®
Founded in 1996, the H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival & CthulhuCon promotes the works of H. P. Lovecraft and cosmic horror through the adaptation of classic weird tales and new cinematic interpretations of existential dread. Hosted annually at Portland’s historic Hollywood Theatre, it serves as a premier international gathering for filmmakers, authors, and fans of the genre.
Event: H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival & CthulhuCon
Location: Hollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR
Dates: October 2-4, 2026
Website: https://hplff.com/portland
