All posts by Tim English

Terror on the Plains International Horror Film Festival returns September 25 and 26, 2026, for two nights of horror under the stars at the legendary Boulevard Drive-In in Kansas City, Kansas.

This year’s festival begins with the annual, world-famous Terror Fest Short Film Competition, featuring short horror films from filmmakers all over the world.

Horror fans will once again experience a terrifying lineup of original independent horror, local filmmakers, international short films, student filmmakers and the next wave of genre storytellers bringing their nightmares to the big screen.

In addition to the short film competition, Terror on the Plains 2026 will feature three classic horror films. The first announced classic film is ERASERHEAD, directed by the legendary David Lynch.

Saturday’s film selections will be announced Thursday May 14 and Friday May 15.

Tickets for Terror on the Plains 2026 go on sale in July.

Vendors are encouraged to apply by emailing Tim English at tim@terrorontheplains.com.

Both nights will also feature vendors, live entertainment, horror community fun and the one-of-a-kind drive-in atmosphere that makes Terror on the Plains one of the most unique horror film festivals in the Kansas City area.

Filmmakers can submit short horror films under 10 minutes through FilmFreeway: filmfreeway.com/TerroronthePlainsHorrorFilmFestival.

Terror on the Plains International Horror Film Festival is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 short film competition, celebrating another killer year of independent horror, local filmmaking, student storytelling, international terror and original “scream”plays.

Held as part of the 11th annual 2025 Terror on the Plains Horror Film Festival, this year’s competition brought together bold, bloody and unforgettable short horror films from filmmakers near and far.

From Kansas City-area talent to international voices in horror, the 2025 lineup proved once again that the future of independent horror is alive, dangerous and ready to haunt the big screen.

Congratulations to the 2025 Terror on the Plains Film Festival winners:

BEST TERROR FILM: Rough Cut — directed by Mitchell Vincent Slan

BEST LOCAL (KS/MO) FILMMAKER (David Berry Award): Carter Breaux — Spill

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM: Curtains — directed by Mark Trifunovic, Canada

BEST STUDENT FILMMAKER — HIGH SCHOOL AND UNDER (Tom Poe Award): Wesley Joseph Butler — The Red Shadow

BEST SCREAMPLAY: Carter Breaux — Spill

Thank you to every filmmaker, fan, volunteer and horror lover who helped make the 2025 Terror on the Plains Horror Fest a screaming success. We’ll see you back next year — Sept. 25 and 26 at the Boulevard Drive-In.

Kansas City horror fans, get ready for chills under the stars. The Terror on the Plains Short Film Festival is returning to the legendary Boulevard Drive-In Theatre in KCK on September 26 and 27, 2025, and the official nominees have just been announced.

This year’s festival promises a spine-tingling lineup of independent horror short films from across the country. From psychological thrillers to creature features, audiences can experience the cutting edge of horror cinema on the big outdoor screen.

But Terror on the Plains is more than just a film festival — it’s a full weekend of fright-filled fun. Attendees can explore local vendors, enjoy live music performances, and connect with filmmakers in person. Whether you’re a die-hard horror enthusiast or just looking for a unique night out, this Kansas City horror film festival at the drive-in is the perfect blend of scares, community, and entertainment.

Mark your calendars and bring your friends. Tickets are on sale now. Get your tickets online and beat the at-the-gate prices. $15 online (per-person/per-night) or $20 cash-only at the gate.

Don’t miss the screams, the scares, and the celebration of horror cinema right here in the heart of the Midwest.

BEST TERROR FILMS

• CURTAINS d. Mark Trifunovic
• NOT ALL MEN d. Adrian Todd Zuniga
• ROUGH CUT d. Mitchell Vincent Slan
• SPILL d. Carter Breaux
• WHAT IS THAT? d. Jason Michael Roberts

BEST LOCAL (KS/MO) FILMMAKER

• Blake Houston, CASTLE UPON THE HILL
• Carter Breaux, SPILL
• Joshua Leonard, JEKYLL/HYDE
• Paul South, RED FRIDAY 2

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM

• CURTAINS d. Mark Trifunovic (CANADA)
• DORMANT d. Niels Bourgonje (NETHERLANDS)
• IN THE NAME OF… d. Marcos Munoz Flores (MEXICO)
• VISITING d.Piero Cannata (ITALY)

BEST STUDENT FILMMAKER (HIGH SCHOOL AND UNDER)

• Wesley Joseph Butler, THE RED SHADOW
• Scarlet Montoya, AT LEAST I FOUND MY BEST FRIEND

BEST SCREAMPLAY

• Carter Breaux, SPILL
• Joshua Leonard, JEKYLL/HYDE
• Rafael De Leon Jr., VOWELS

GENERAL SELECTIONS

• BAGGAGE d. Hunter Harness
• CHOMPERS d. Chef Joe Gatto
• WHAT REMAINS d. Zoe English
• THE WITCHING HOUR d. Erik Stone

The Terror on the Plains Short Film competition will be held Friday Sept. 26. Get tickets today.

Our Feature Films include From Dusk Til Dawn (Friday night, following the competition) then Scooby Doo and The Evil Dead (both Saturday night)