Enter horror films into the Into Film Awards 2026

With Hallowe'en upon us once more, and spooky season in full flow, what better time to enter frightening youth-made horror films into the Into Film Awards?

Horror is one of the most entertaining and timeless genres of film, and despite many horror films receiving higher age rating certificates, it's not just for grown-ups. Horror provides an opportunity for young people to experiment with different filmmaking techniques and effects, applying more youth-friendly approaches to the conventions and iconography of the genre.

Do you know a young person who has a compelling spooky story to tell? Then why not encourage them to enter the Into Film Awards! Whether they have a distinctive villain in mind, or a story filled with suspense and tension, we'd love to see it. Some eerie music or creepy sound effects can go a long way to helping generate an unsettling atmosphere, and there are plenty of ways to explore scary filmmaking techniques, whether in live action or animation.

While the Into Film Awards accepts all genres of film, we know horror is one of the genres young filmmakers are most drawn to, and several horror-tinged films found themselves nominated at last year's Into Film Awards. These included Ynyr yr Ysbryd (Ynyr the Ghost), a mockumentary which follows a young boy named Ynyr who wakes up as a ghost, and finds that the experience isn't as fun as he might have imagined. While Ynyr the Ghost isn't setting out to be a scary film, it is nevertheless a great example of how young people can take the conventions of horror stories and turn them into something more playful and accessible.

Ynyr yr Ysbryd (Ynyr the Ghost)

Deadlines, meanwhile, was the winner of our Best Story category, and is a more intense and mature foray into David Cronenberg-inspired body horror. Made by 19-year old Ben Melocha, Deadlines sees a put-upon office worker lashing out and discovering something sinister and unsettling about her office computer. Deadlines taps into modern insecurities around AI and the replaceability of humans in the face of ever-advancing machines, as well as commenting on the faceless, sterile nature of some corporate jobs, and the mental health struggles that can arise when the pressures of work become overwhelming. Melocha's film is a great example of the way horror stories can be used to comment on any number of issues.

Deadlines

Recommended for ages 15+

These are just two examples of the different ways horror can be approached by young filmmakers, and will hopefully serve as inspiration to encourage more distinctive horror films this Hallowe'en season.

Whether submitting an existing film, or making one from scratch, entries for this year's Into Film Awards are open until 23 February 2026, giving young people plenty of time to come up with a spooky modern classic.

Visit our main Into Film Awards page to find out all about this year's Awards, including details of each category, entry criteria, and some helpful resources to help you support young people's filmmaking journey. You can also check out highlights from last year's star-studded ceremony and see what excitement awaits our next batch of talented nominees.