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the Indie Horror Film Festival

Taking place on Day 2 of the 2025 Dark Art and Oddities Con in Dekalb, Illinois!  For complete convention information visit: www.DarkArtandOddities.com

The Indie Horror Film Festival

Welcome back to the spine-chilling world of Indie Horror! Following a series of thrilling transformations and countless brainstorming sessions, we are thrilled to unveil the resurrection of the Indie Horror Film Festival for the 2025 Season! This year, we're creeping in from the shadows of the annual Dark Art and Oddities Con at the eerie Altgeld Hall (yes, it's a real castle) in Dekalb, IL!


Prepare yourselves for an horrifying showcase of short horror films, curated specifically for your adrenaline-fueled enjoyment. Join us for a weekend brimming with unparalleled cinematic experiences and captivating entertainment that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Don't miss out on the screams and thrills that await you!


Our convention offers numerous vendors, workshops and mixed media entertainment too! 

Our Vision

Embrace Unconventional Stories

We believe in showcasing fresh, innovative horror films that challenge traditional storytelling, celebrating unique voices in indie cinema.

Connecting Filmmakers and Fans

Our festival brings together filmmakers and horror genre enthusiasts, fostering relationships that drive creativity and inspire future projects.

Inclusive Horror for All

We promote diversity in our selections, showcasing various cultural perspectives that expand the horror genre and resonate with a wider audience.

Testimonials

Lovely festival and amazing people behind it.

Lovely festival and amazing people behind it. Everything was incredibly professional and well managed! I was lucky enough to win best short script at this year’s festival. Everyone was kind and communicative. ~ Maggie Dominiak

I can't say enough wonderful things about this festival!

I can't say enough wonderful things about this festival! Willy was SO communicative and I felt that one-on-one attention that you don't always get with film festivals. I kick myself that I wasn't able to attend the event in-person (the venue looked absolutely amazing) but I was so honored to see that our project, "No Trophies," not only won for "Best Writer" but was nominated in several categories! What a fantastic experience! Can't wait to receive the digital certificate and share it on social media. Thank you to The Indie Horror Film Festival for your professionalism, great communication and for truly caring about the filmmaker experience, keep up the fantastic work!  ~ Dania Denise

Huge fan of Willy and this festival.

Huge fan of Willy and this festival. It's a fantastic opportunity for novice filmmakers, horror fans, and experienced filmmakers alike. If you're making horror films you definitely have to submit to this one!  ~ Del Harvey