2025 Terror on the Plains Horror Film Fest nominees

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)

Young filmmakers urged to submit to Terror Fest KC

The TERROR ON THE PLAINS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL continues to encourage and promote local young and student filmmakers. Our Student Filmmaker division is open to filmmakers high school and younger. Filmmakers are encouraged to submit their short horror film (10 mins. and under) for the 2025 TERROR ON THE PLAINS, Sept. 27-28th, 2024 (*date can change).

Terror on the Plains has been featuring THE DR. TOM POE AWARD for the BEST STUDENT FILMMAKER AWARD since 2018, when Erik Stone won the inaugural honor for his film, FEAR. Since then, the award has turned it’s focus to younger filmmakers, limiting it to high school, middle school and elementary schools.

Call for entries for Terror on the Plains 2011 is March 1, 2025. Email tim@terrorontheplains.com with any questions.

BEST STUDENT FILMMAKER (HIGH SCHOOL AND UNDER) AWARD

Submit your film FilmFreeway.com/TerrorOnThePlainsHorrorFilmFestival

TERROR ON THE PLAINS
Short Film Competition
CALL FOR ENTRIES BEGINS:
MARCH 1, 2025
Submission Fee: $20.00
More info:
terrorontheplains.com/short-film-competition-rules/

Terror on the Plains is sponsored by KCFilm, Kansas City Art Institute, Ignition FX and Boulevard Drive-In

Terror on the Plains 7: nominees

BEST HORROR FILM

Afterparty – Ruben Pallan, Burbank CA
Disturbance – Ryan Worsley, Glendale, CA
Hurt – Joshua Leonard, Kansas City, MO
Jamie – Frank Ferendo, Hollywood, CA
Trapped Inside – Usher Morgan, NYC
Trespass – Erik LeDrew, Los Angeles, CA

BEST FOREIGN FILM

The Killer is Inside the House – Marcia Denice, Netherlands
Last Round – Björn Lingner, Germany
A Sweet Man – Javier Chavanel, Spain

BEST LOCAL (KC) FILMMAKER — The David Berry Award

DeSean Atwood, Kansas City, KS. – Skin, Meat and Bones
Jordan Hageman St. Louis, MO. – Murder of Evelyn Cross
Stephen Hancock – Lee’s Summit, MO. – Paradoxon
Joshua Leonard, Kansas City, MO. – Hurt

BEST YOUNG FILMMAKER (20 and Under)

Ethan Messecar, Oxnard, California – The Bed Beast
Erik Stone, Mulberry, KS. – Fear
Lucas Strother, Denver, CO. – Ozo