Tag student filmmaker

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.

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