TUFFest 48 Horror Film Festival

TUFFest 48 Hour Horror Film Festival

Welcome to The TUFFest 48 Horror Film Festival
Oklahoma’s First Annual 48 Hour Horror Showdown
Screening October 11th, 2025 at The TUFFest

13 Teams. 48 Hours. 1 Horrifying Weekend.
The TUFFest is bringing the blood, brains, and brilliance to life with our first-ever TUFFest 48 Horror Film Festival. This is a no-sleep, all-scare filmmaking challenge like no other. You’ll draw your genre, shoot your nightmare, and scare our socks off all in just 48 hours.

Do you have what it takes to survive?

How It Works

Kickoff Draw: October 3rd at 6PM
Each team will draw a horror subgenre and receive their required character, prop, and line of dialogue. You’ve got 48 hours to shoot, slash, and scream your way to a finished short film.

Deadline to Submit: Sunday, October 5th at 6PM
No exceptions. Upload your terror on time or face disqualification from awards.

Horror Genres in the Hat

Clown / Funhouse / Carnival / Freaks
Comedy / Parody Horror
Creepy Kid / Creepy Toy
Gore / Slasher / Splatter
Science Fiction Horror
Classic Monsters (Vampire, Werewolf, Frankenstein)
Found Footage
Ghost Movie
Gothic Horror
Home Invasion / Survival
Psychological Horror
Satanic / Demon Possession
Undead / Zombie

You’ll get one of these and then it’s game on.

Film Guidelines

Runtime: 3 minutes max (plus 60 seconds of end credits)
Language: Profanity welcome
Nudity: Allowed but may be censored at public screening
Originality: No stock footage unless it’s a background element or part of a visual effect. All footage and effects must be shot or created during the official 48 hour window.

Awards: The 666 Breakdown

6 – Best Short Horror Film (60 seconds or less) – $100 Prize
66 – Best 2 Minute Terror (61 to 120 seconds) – $100 Prize
666 – Best Full Length Fright (121 to 180 seconds) – $100 Prize

Plus bonus awards:

Best Villain or Monster – $75
Best Hero – $75
Best Scream Queen or King – $75

Winners are chosen by audience vote at The TUFFest screening on October 11th.

Registration Info

$50 Entry Fee – Only 13 teams will be accepted
Alternate Teams: Two alternates may register for $25
- If a main team drops out, alternates move into the 13
- If not, your film still screens, just not in competition

The Fine (but Important) Print

Oklahoma Residents Only
Any video or film camera may be used
Original music is encouraged and will count toward judging
Films must include:
- A drawn genre
- A required character, prop, and line of dialogue
- All elements shown or spoken onscreen
Films must include pre-film slates and title cards
Post-screening edits must retain TUFFest branding
Content must not infringe copyright or include obscene or defamatory material

Required Pre-Film Slate

5 seconds black
Title card: Team name, film title, genre, and date
Title card: “This film was made for TUFFest Horror 48 2025”
2 seconds black

Opening credits count toward runtime. End credits (up to 60 seconds) do not.
End credits must include:
“This film was made for TUFFest Horror 48 2025”

Submission Requirements

Films must be uploaded by Sunday, October 5th at 6:00 p.m.
All films submitted by the deadline will screen
Only films that meet all rules and are on time will be eligible for awards
Sound should be level and consistent
Make sure dark scenes are visible on a large screen
All content must be original or used with proper rights

Still photographs may be used, but they cannot be sequenced to create the illusion of motion unless they were taken during the 48 hour window. Stock footage may only be used sparingly in background effects, provided you have the proper rights. Anything that plays a major role in the story must be created during the TUFFest 48 timeline.

Ready to Bleed for Your Art?

Space is very limited. This is a 48 hour bloodbath for filmmakers who live for horror. Secure your spot in the final 13 or brave it as an alternate. Either way, your film will screen at The TUFFest on October 11th.

[REGISTER NOW]
Questions? Contact the TUFFest Team at tuffest48@powdot.com

Eligibility and Team Composition

All participants must be 18 or older unless accompanied by a legal guardian and approved by the TUFFest organizers.
Each team must designate a Team Leader who is the point of contact and legally responsible for the film submission.
Only one film may be submitted per registered team.

Content Responsibility

All content is the sole responsibility of the filmmakers. TUFFest is not liable for any copyright infringement, image releases, or music licensing violations.
Any film that promotes hate, discrimination, or illegal activity will be disqualified and not screened.
Films containing extreme or potentially triggering content (sexual violence, graphic abuse, etc.) must include a content warning in the opening slate. TUFFest reserves the right to refuse to screen films based on these elements.

Public Screening and Distribution Rights

By entering, participants grant TUFFest the right to screen their film at the festival and use stills or clips for marketing purposes, including online promotion, trailers, and social media.
Filmmakers retain full ownership and rights to their work outside of TUFFest promotions.

Technical Requirements

Films should be submitted in .mp4 or .mov format with a minimum resolution of 1080p and stereo sound.
TUFFest is not responsible for corrupt, unplayable, or improperly exported files.
Late uploads or tech failures on the team’s end will result in disqualification from awards, though the film may still screen if deemed appropriate.

On-Site Expectations

Teams are encouraged to attend the screening on October 11th. If you’re unable to attend, make sure your film includes all proper titles, credits, and required slates.
Award-winning teams will be announced live. If you’re not present, you will still be contacted and awarded.

Disqualification Clause

TUFFest has sole discretion in matters of rule enforcement, genre qualification, and final eligibility.
Any team found to be working outside the 48 hour timeframe, using pre-shot material improperly, or violating any rule may be disqualified.