Atlanta Horror Film Festival Awards

Presented to the standout feature-length horror film, recognized for storytelling, craft, and overall impact.

Babybacks

Director Geno Marx 

 Awarded to a short horror film that shows originality, tension, and the ability to scare, disturb, or surprise in a compact format.

G(L)ORY DAYS

Director Cory DeMeyers 

Recognizes outstanding direction in a feature film, with special attention to pacing, mood, and vision.

Directors Aurelio Voltaire, Jeff Ferrell

The Demonatrix

Recognizes outstanding direction in a short film, highlighting creativity, atmosphere, and storytelling within a limited runtime.

Total Party Kill

Director Alan Sanchez 

Recognizes an outstanding cast whose performances and chemistry elevate the film and bring its characters and horror to life.

The Pitchfork Retreat

Directors Gregory Van Voorhis, Nicole Van Voorhis

 Celebrates a Georgia-made short film or filmmaker, honoring the strength of the local horror community.

The Family Story

Director Barrington Nathaniel Marson

Recognizes the film that delivers the festival’s most memorable blood, gore, carnage, and gruesome visuals.

Jump Scare

Director Donnie Hobbie 

Given to the film with a dark, unsettling, and wildly original idea that pushes horror into bold new territory.

Don’t Draw Attention

Director Rollyn Stafford

Writer Producer Dylan Wayne Lawrence 

For the film that gets under your skin and lingers long after the credits roll.

Can I Come In?

Director Dustin Paul Weible 

Presented to a film that masterfully blends horror and humor, delivering scares and laughs in equal measure.

DEMONETIZE

Director Alexander Watson 

Recognizes an emerging filmmaker whose vision, creativity, and execution mark them as a rising force in horror.

Sleep Call

Director Richer Huynh 

Chosen by festival audiences, this award highlights the feature film that connected most strongly with viewers.

The Demonatrix

Directors Aurelio Voltaire, Jeff Ferrell

Chosen by festival audiences, this award highlights the short film that connected most strongly with viewers.

First Comes Love

 Director Tanya Martineau

 Special recognition from the festival jury for a feature film that demonstrates exceptional quality or innovation.

Hollow Lake

Director Troy Escamilla 

Special recognition from the festival jury for a short film that demonstrates exceptional quality or innovation.

House Rules

Director Geri Courtney-Austein

Presented to the standout feature-length horror film, recognized for storytelling, craft, and overall impact.

Babybacks

Director Geno Marx 

DEMONETIZE

Director Alexander Watson 

Jump Scare

Director Donnie Hobbie 

The Pitchfork Retreat

Directors Gregory Van Voorhis, Nicole Van Voorhis

 Awarded to a short horror film that shows originality, tension, and the ability to scare, disturb, or surprise in a compact format.

Blossom Needs A Ride Home

Director Tim Schwagel 

Eeohtoh

Directors Matthew Barber, Nathaniel Barber

G(L)ORY DAYS

Director Cory DeMeyers 

The Celebration

Director Jack Kudas 

 Recognizes outstanding direction in a feature film, with special attention to pacing, mood, and vision.

Babybacks

Director Geno Marx 

DEMONETIZE

Director Alexander Watson 

Hollow Lake

Director Troy Escamilla 

The Demonatrix

Directors Aurelio Voltaire, Jeff Ferrell

Recognizes outstanding direction in a short film, highlighting creativity, atmosphere, and storytelling within a limited runtime.

H.A.G.S.

Director Matt Mazany 

The Me in the TV

Director Gordon Phillips 

The Scene

Director Daniel Meyers 

Total Party Kill

Director Alan Sanchez 

 Recognizes an outstanding cast whose performances and chemistry elevate the film and bring its characters and horror to life.

DEMONETIZE

Director Alexander Watson 

Hollow Lake

Director Troy Escamilla 

The Demonatrix

Directors Aurelio Voltaire, Jeff Ferrell

The Pitchfork Retreat

Directors Gregory Van Voorhis, Nicole Van Voorhis

 Celebrates a Georgia-made short film or filmmaker, honoring the strength of the local horror community.

Blood Money

Director Adam Petrey 

Conviction

Director Jared Hunte 

Pyre

Director Dylan Miller 

The Family Story

Director Barrington Nathaniel Marson

Recognizes the film that delivers the festival’s most memorable blood, gore, carnage, and gruesome visuals.

Babybacks

Director Geno Marx 

HERO KILLER

Director Daniel Ibanez 

Jump Scare

Director Donnie Hobbie 

TSUME KILL：THE CLAPPER CLAW

Director Shinsuke Fujioka 

Given to the film with a dark, unsettling, and wildly original idea that pushes horror into bold new territory.

Don’t Draw Attention

Director Rollyn Stafford & Writer Producer Dylan Wayne Lawrence 

Grilled Cheese

Directors Connar Brown Sprenger, Tommy Martin

Kissyfoot

Director Renetta G Amador 

The Witchening

Director MK Kopp 

For the film that gets under your skin and lingers long after the credits roll.

BRO

Director Noah Berc 

Can I Come In?

Director Dustin Paul Weible 

Eat

Director Barrett Carroll 

Tick

Director Sam Permar 

Presented to a film that masterfully blends horror and humor, delivering scares and laughs in equal measure.

DEMONETIZE

Director Alexander Watson 

House Rules

Director Geri Courtney-Austein

Jump Scare

Director Donnie Hobbie 

Mort

Directors Larry Ziegelman, Terry Ziegelman

Recognizes an emerging filmmaker whose vision, creativity, and execution mark them as a rising force in horror.

Second Thoughts

Director Alyssa Morrell 

Sleep Call

Director Richer Huynh 

TRUNK

Director Marisa Green 

What We Carry

Director Karl-Mary Akre 

Chosen by festival audiences, this award highlights the feature film that connected most strongly with viewers.

Winner Announced at the Award Ceremony Sunday, Oct. 4 at 10:15 PM