Tag from dusk til dawn

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)