2027

Welcome to Atlanta Horror Film Festival

October 7 - 10, 2027

7 Stages Theatre

Little  5 Points · Atlanta

21 Years of Fear in Atlanta

21st Annual Atlanta Horror Film Festival

Atlanta HorrorFest returns Octoberr 7 - 10, 2027 to 7 Stages Theatre in Little Five Points, bringing independent horror films, filmmakers and fans together for a weekend of scares and a hell of a good time.


Discover shorts and features spanning psychological horror, slashers, supernatural nightmares, body horror and horror comedy. Experience them with a crowd that laughs, screams and loves every minute.


The fun carries beyond the screenings. Meet filmmakers, grab drinks with new friends and explore the neighborhood between films. Conversations spill into nearby bars and late-night hangouts, making HorrorFest a weekend you’ll want to stick around for.


For filmmakers, it’s a chance to share your work with people who love the genre. For fans, it’s a chance to find your next favorite horror film and meet the people behind it.

Independent Horror. A Hell of a Good Time.

Independent Horror. A Hell of a Good Time.

Independent Horror. A Hell of a Good Time.

Atlanta HorrorFest brings people together over a shared love of horror. We celebrate the filmmakers who dream up the nightmares and the audiences who love watching them.


Our lineup spans psychological thrillers, supernatural stories, slashers, monsters, body horror and horror comedy. Shorts and features share the screen, giving audiences a chance to discover new filmmakers alongside established independent voices.


The films give us plenty to scream about, but the people make the weekend. There’s nothing quite like watching horror with a packed theater, laughing at something terrible, and talking about your favorite film with the person who made it.


At 7 Stages Theatre in Little 5 Points, those conversations carry into nearby bars, restaurants and late-night hangouts. Come with friends or show up on your own. You’ll find people who share your taste for the strange.

Our Legacy

Independent Horror. A Hell of a Good Time.

Independent Horror. A Hell of a Good Time.

For more than two decades, Atlanta HorrorFest has helped build a home for independent horror in Georgia. We value imagination, originality and filmmakers who can get under your skin, whatever their budget.


As part of the Atlanta Film Series, we’re connected to a year-round community that supports independent film and the people behind it.

Why HorrorFest?

Independent Horror. A Hell of a Good Time.

Why HorrorFest?

Filmmakers come to share their work with an audience that loves the genre. Fans come to discover films they might never find anywhere else, meet their creators and spend a weekend with fellow horror lovers.

We take the films seriously and have fun celebrating them. That’s the spirit of Atlanta HorrorFest.

Built for Horror. Loved by Filmmakers

Georgia's top rated Horror Film Festival

Why Atlanta Horror Film Festival is the top horror film festival in Georgia:


  • Ranked among FilmFreeway’s Top 100 Best Reviewed Festivals with 200 five-star reviews
  • Four days of independent horror films and special events.
  • The whole Little 5 Points neighborhood becomes part of the celebration.
  • After parties every night.
  • Daily networking mixers.
  • An extensive lineup of horror shorts and features.
  • Filmmakers attending from across the world.
  • Filmmaker Q&As that put the people behind the films in the spotlight.
  • Shorts receive dedicated programming and recognition alongside features.
  • Every side of horror is welcome, from horror comedy to deeply unsettling films.
  • A neighborhood Horror Crawl brings filmmakers and fans together.
  • Independent bars, restaurants, and shops within walking distance of the theater.
  • Time to meet future collaborators and build lasting friendships.
  • Physical trophies across multiple award categories.
  • No premiere requirements.
  • Two All-Access Festival Passes for each selected film.
  • Two decades of experience celebrating independent horror.
  • A connection to the Atlanta Film Series and its year-round filmmaking community.
  • A horror film family that comes together every year and always has room for someone new. 

Filmmaker Reviews on FilmFreeway

See Our Reviews

Why Horror Filmmakers Love Atlanta Horror

Dylan Miller

Dylan Miller

Dylan Miller

Twenty years in and it shows. HorrorFest runs like a festival that knows exactly what it is: a packed weekend at 7 Stages in Little 5 Points, real horror audiences who show up to watch and talk, and organizers who make filmmakers feel like part of the event rather than content for it. Communication was clear from acceptance through delivery, the welcome guide answered every question before I could ask it, and the whole thing has the energy of a festival run by people who love the genre. As an Atlanta filmmaker, this one feels like home turf in the best way.

Matt Mazany

Dylan Miller

Dylan Miller

Right up there with the best festivals I've been to. Excellent film selection. Ample opportunity to meet great filmmakers, Locals in the audience, this festival has it all. I visited from out of town and I felt so welcomed and had a great time.

Tommy Martin

Dylan Miller

Abigail Webster

What a gem of a festival! Was an honor to screen GRILLED CHEESE amongst so many incredible films. The entire staff were generous with their time and communication. The venue and location were also top notch. Loved the warmth and hospitality of everyone involved with the festival, and felt every audience member truly appreciated the creativity and hard work everyone put into their projects. Will definitely be returning. Thank you again for having us! 

Abigail Webster

Christopher Labadie

Abigail Webster

 

We had an absolute blast and I couldn't recommend Atlanta Horror enough. Kelsey, Amy and team put on such a great festival; excellent communication, incredible vibes and program with such engaged audiences and moderators. Their passion for the horror genre truly shows.

Noah Berc

Christopher Labadie

Christopher Labadie

Atlanta Horror is a fantastic festival. Run by a lovely, responsive and passionate team who are eager to champion horror filmmakers. Worth every penny of the submission fee. Can’t wait to submit again:)

Christopher Labadie

Christopher Labadie

Christopher Labadie

 Atlanta HorrorFest was such a fantastic experience. The theatre was charming and everything we'd need in between film blocks was incredibly accessible. The staff were all so supportive, passionate and kind. It's truly a community-focused environment with a lot of eager horror enthusiasts. 

Atlanta Horror Fest Teaser

2026 Atlanta HorrorFest

Our 20th Anniversary Oct. 1 - 4, 2026 was the biggest and best yet!

Upcoming Atlanta Film Festivals

Jan. 9, 2027

Atlanta Spotlight Film Festival

12pm

-

12am

7 Stages

Jan. 9, 2027

Atlanta Spotlight Film Festival

Atlanta Spotlight Film Festival: Where the year’s best short films shine brightest. Find out more 

12pm

-

12am

7 Stages

March 18 - 21, 2027

Atlanta DOC

12pm

-

12am

7 Stages

March 18 - 21, 2027

Atlanta DOC

Love Documentary films? Don't miss the Atlanta Documentary Film Festival (ATL DOC)  Find out more

12pm

-

12am

7 Stages

May 14 - 16, 2027

Atlanta Shortsfest

12pm

-

12am

Limelight Theater

May 14 - 16, 2027

Atlanta Shortsfest

Atlanta's longest running short film festival . All films have the running time of 45 minutes and under. Find out more  

12pm

-

12am

Limelight Theater

July 10, 2027

Atlanta Micro Short Film Festival

12pm

-

12am

7 Stages

July 10, 2027

Atlanta Micro Short Film Festival

Ultra short films for ultra short attention spans! All films are under 5 minutes!  Find out more

 

12pm

-

12am

7 Stages

August 12-15 2027

Atlanta Underground Film Festival

12pm

-

12am

7 Stages

August 12-15 2027

Atlanta Underground Film Festival

Come see some incredible independent features and shorts at the 21st annual AUFF. Find out more 

12pm

-

12am

7 Stages

More Events

Atlanta Horror Fest Venues

Our Partners