Horror Haven Film Expo

10/18/2026

HORROR HAVEN FILM EXPO 2026
SEASON 4 OFFICIAL AWARD WINNERS & HONORABLE MENTIONS

The results are in!

After an incredible fourth season, including our very first in-person festival at Showplace Cinemas East in Evansville, Indiana, we're proud to announce the official winners and honorable mentions of Horror Haven Film Expo 2026!

2026 AWARD WINNERS

BEST HORROR FEATURE SCREENPLAY
COMMON BOND
Writer: David Kashner

BEST HORROR SHORT SCREENPLAY
THE GARDENERS
Writer: Court Moss

BEST HORROR TRAILER
THE SPIRIT OF HILDA
Directors: Jasmine Banks, Justus Hightower & Griffin Bermea

BEST FX
UNSAVORY ELEMENTS...
Director: Tom Carter

BEST SCORE
PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME 3: CULT OF ViV
Director: William Canaan
Composed by: Playwright 43
Caige Hazelwood

BEST SHORT FILM
MAD
Director: Ana Bass

BEST FEATURE FILM
THE BARN PART III
Director: Justin M. Seaman

THE HORROR HAVEN AWARD
NO WITNESSES
Director: Joshua Brucker

2026 HONORABLE MENTIONS

FEATURE FILMS
- THE DEVIL YOU KNOW — Director Shawn Burkett
- WOLF MOON RISING — Director Todd Sheets
- CIRCLE CITY SUPERNATURAL 2 — Director Joseph Paul Leck

SHORT FILMS
- JUST ANOTHER DAY — Director John Borowski
- BEHOLDER — Director Melissa Bronski
- FAVELA AMARELA — Directors Nícolas Lobato & Thiago Tuchu
- DREAMS OF A DEAD GOD — Director Jim Weter

FEATURE SCREENPLAYS
- SUPPLANTER — Writer Heather Bayles
- SANGUIS SEPTEM — Writer Caprice Castano
- THE SHOAL — Writer Matt David Patron

SHORT SCREENPLAYS
- BUNZILLA — Writer Emma Zadow
- SECOND CHOICE — Writer Shaun Foley
- SERIOUS APPLICANTS ONLY — Writer Cara McWilliam-Richardson

Congratulations to all of our winners and honorable mentions!

We also want to thank every filmmaker and screenwriter who submitted to Season 4. Your dedication to independent storytelling is what keeps Horror Haven Film Expo growing.

To our supporters, sponsors, and everyone who joined us for two days of horror on the big screen, thank you for helping us make festival history.

Season 4 is officially complete. Onward to Season 5!

10/16/2026

SEASON 4. THAT'S A WRAP!

Four seasons of Horror Haven Film Expo, and this year we took a major step forward by bringing the festival to the big screen for the very first time!

Over the past two days, we had the opportunity to showcase independent horror films from talented filmmakers who put countless hours into bringing their stories to life.

To every filmmaker and screenwriter who submitted to Season 4, thank you for allowing us to be part of your creative journey.

To Nick Nackery, Showplace Cinemas East, Eville Studios, Garrett Printing, and Blood Pact Films, thank you for helping us turn this year's festival into an in-person experience.

And to everyone who walked through those theater doors over the past two days, thank you. Every ticket purchased, every seat filled, and every person who gave an independent film a chance made a difference.

Taking Horror Haven from an online festival to an in-person event was a big step, and we're proud to have reached that milestone.

Season 4 is officially in the books.

Our award winners will be announced this weekend, and then it's time to start looking ahead to Season 5.

Thank you for being part of Horror Haven Film Expo 2026!

10/16/2026

THE FINAL SCREENING OF HORROR HAVEN FILM EXPO 2026 IS STARTING NOW!

We're closing out this year's festival with our final feature film, NO WITNESSES!

As we bring these two incredible days of independent horror to a close, we want to extend a huge thank you to Showplace Cinemas, Eville Studios, Nick Nackery, Garrett Printing, and Blood Pact Films for their support in making this event possible.

To all the filmmakers who trusted us with their films, and to everyone who came out, purchased tickets, watched the screenings, and supported independent horror, THANK YOU!

Your support means everything to us, and we couldn't have done this without you.

With tonight's final screening, the 2026 Horror Haven Film Expo season officially comes to a close.

Award winners will be announced this weekend!

Thank you for being part of Horror Haven Film Expo 2026. We look forward to seeing you again next year!

10/15/2026

Some photos from the expo

10/15/2026

10/15/2026

DARE TO LOOK?

BEHOLDER hits the BIG SCREEN TODAY at 4 PM as part of our Short Film Block at Horror Haven Film Expo!

There's nothing quite like experiencing independent horror in a dark theater surrounded by fellow horror fans.

Come out to Showplace Cinemas East in Evansville and experience BEHOLDER alongside a lineup of independent horror shorts!

TODAY AT 4 PM!

10/15/2026

Day 2 has begun

10/15/2026

DAY 1 IS A WRAP!

Thank you to everyone who came out today to support Horror Haven Film Expo and all the incredible independent filmmakers who shared their work on the big screen!

We're calling it a night, getting some rest, and we'll be back at it tomorrow at 11 AM for another full day of horror films, short films, and trailers!

DAY 2, WE'RE COMING FOR YOU!

10/14/2026

And ... we're off and running!!