06/01/2026
We're thrilled to announce the very first "Student Artist-in-Residence" for our Student Film Competition at the 2026 Reel Horrors Film Festival!
As part of our inaugural Student Film Competition, we wanted to create an opportunity for an emerging CO visual artist to leave a permanent mark on Reel Horrors history. This year, our Student Artist-in-Residence will design the official poster for our FIRST-EVER Student Film Festival during the 2026 Colorado Festival of Horror.
At Reel Horrors, we believe the future of horror belongs not only to the filmmakers behind the camera, but to ALL the artists, illustrators, designers, and visionaries who help shape the culture surrounding it. We are honored to showcase the work of a rising creative voice and continue our commitment to supporting the next generation of horror storytellers.
Please join us in welcoming our 2026 Student Artist-in-Residence:
What is your name? Sydney Lopez!
What is your preferred medium? I mostly specialize in digital fine line art and ink & graphite art.
Who is an artistic influence? My main influence for my artistic ways has always been Tim Burton (which many of you may know from his wonderful masterpieces throughout the years like “Nightmare Before Christmas” and “Beetlejuice” along with so many others).
Favorite Horror Films? American Werewolf in London, Split, and Trick or Treat FOR SURE!
What do you love most about the Colorado Festival of Horror?
I have always been a horror fan since I was in my tween years, Horror and scary things have always held a special place in my heart and my love for it has helped shape who I am today and helped me find new interests..COFOH is exactly the kind of place that brings us all together...this festival is going to be incredible for all the ghouls and odd fools alike to come together and have a scarily good time! I hope to see you all there!
We want YOUR FILM for our FIRST EVER Colorado Student Horror Film Competition, debuting as part of the 2026 festival program!
This new section is dedicated to supporting and showcasing emerging filmmakers from across Colorado working within the horror genre.
The competition is open exclusively to Colorado-based filmmakers who are currently enrolled in a school, college, or university. Eligible submissions must be original short horror films with a runtime of 15 minutes or less.
Our selection committee will review submissions and invite a group of finalists to screen as part of the festival’s Opening Night program on Friday, September 18, 2026. Each selected filmmaker will introduce their film to a LIVE audience prior to its screening.
Following the presentation, a panel of festival judges will deliberate in real time and select a winning film live during the event. The award-winning film will then be featured in the festival’s closing “Best of the Fest” program on Sunday, alongside the top films from across the full festival lineup.
Submissions are now open via FilmFreeway under the designated Student Competition category:
https://filmfreeway.com/COFOHReelHorrorsFilmFest
SUBMIT NOW- and tell someone who needs to be a part of this festival!
