Jacksonville Horror Festival
MISSION
The Jacksonville Horror Festival is a high-octane celebration of bold, blood-soaked cinema. We spotlight daring filmmakers who embrace the gritty, the grotesque, and the unforgettable—from grindhouse-inspired gore to character-driven terror. Our mission is to electrify audiences, cultivate a thriving horror scene in Jacksonville, and champion fearless storytelling that pushes boundaries and leaves a mark.
BEST OF THE FEST
BEST SCREAMPLAY
BEST DIRECTOR
BEST ACTOR
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
BEST SCORE
BEST SOUND DESIGN
AWARDS CATEGORIES
DEEP CUT AWARDS
BEST BREASTS
SCREAM QUEEN
AUDIENCE CHOICE
CHEAP THRILLS
BLOODBATH AWARD
SLEAZE & CHEESE
Disclaimers
BEST EDITING
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
BEST SHORT FILM
BEST STUDENT FILM
BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM
BEST ANIMATED FILM
BEST POSTER
BEST FX
BLOODSCRIBE LEGACY AWARD
The Bloodscribe Legacy Award honors a visionary whose passion, dedication, and creative spirit have left a lasting mark on the horror genre. Whether by pushing the boundaries of fear, advancing the craft through innovation, or dedicating a lifetime to the dark and the macabre, this award recognizes an individual who embodies the essence of horror as both art and rebellion. It is our way of celebrating those who inspire, disturb, and challenge us—those whose legacy will haunt the genre for generations to come.
The Best Breasts Award recognizes films that demonstrate creative, impactful, or narratively significant use of nudity within the horror genre. It is not a reward for expected nudity in typical settings such as strip clubs, brothels, or locker rooms unless that nudity serves a unique artistic, thematic, or subversive purpose. Simply including bare breasts in a conventional or background setting does not qualify a film for this award. We’re looking for moments that are memorable, bold, and thoughtfully integrated into the story or visual style—where nudity adds to the atmosphere, character development, or emotional impact of the scene.
The Cheap Thrills award is reserved for films made on a budget of $1,000 or less that deliver exceptional quality, creativity, or entertainment value beyond their financial limitations. It is not simply for low-budget films, but for those that punch above their weight—demonstrating smart resourcefulness, clever filmmaking, and impressive execution despite minimal funding. Films must clearly show that the filmmakers made the most of what they had, elevating their production with passion, skill, and ingenuity. If your film looks like it cost $1,000 or less, it doesn’t qualify. We’re rewarding low-budget brilliance, not low-budget results.
The Sleaze & Cheese award honors the film that best captures the spirit, style, and unapologetic attitude of 1970s grindhouse and exploitation cinema. We’re looking for entries that lean into the grit, grain, sex, violence, outrageousness, and DIY charm that defined the era—whether through visual aesthetic, over-the-top dialogue, practical effects, or sleazy subject matter. Simply being set in the past or featuring retro elements is not enough; your film must feel like it belongs on a double-feature VHS tape in a seedy theater with sticky floors and questionable company. Sleaze and cheese must be part of the soul—not just the set dressing.