Register
Sign up as an individual or team and keep an eye on your challenge dashboard.
Fear Screen presents
Make a horror film in 48 hours.
- Production window
- 48 hours
- Runtime
- 2 to 6 minutes
- Genre
- Horror or thriller
The challenge
Two days. One original horror short.
48 Hours Later gives filmmakers one weekend to turn a fresh horror idea into a finished short film. When the brief lands, the clock starts. Teams write, shoot, edit, and submit before the window closes.
The challenge is designed for resourceful filmmakers: sharp ideas, practical decisions, and the kind of creative pressure that turns constraints into cinema.
How it works
The clock does not negotiate.
Receive the brief
At launch, we release the required elements that must appear in every film.
Make the film
Write, shoot, edit, and finish a horror or thriller short within the 48-hour window.
Submit
Upload your finished film through the online portal before the deadline hits.
Competition guidelines
Simple rules. Brutal clock.
Runtime
Films must be 2 to 6 minutes long.
Genre
Horror or thriller must be the dominant genre.
Original work
All writing, filming, editing, and scoring must happen inside the challenge window unless the rules state otherwise.
Required elements
The released brief may include a prop, line, theme, location, or other required creative constraint.
Rights
You must have permission for all people, locations, music, and material used in your film.
Submission
Late entries may be screened out of competition at the organisers' discretion.
Awards
Make something worth surviving for.
Complimentary FilmFreeway submission with a guaranteed Fear Screen screening, plus exclusive merchandise.
Complimentary FilmFreeway submission and two VIP Festival Passes for Fear Screen.
Discounted FilmFreeway submission and festival tickets for the team.
FAQ
The important bits before the lights go out.
Do I need professional equipment?
No. Phones, consumer cameras, borrowed lights, and improvised rigs are all welcome. The challenge rewards inventive filmmaking.
Can I enter as a team?
Yes. You can register as an individual or as a team. One person should act as the main contact.
What happens if I am under 18?
You can register, but your parent or guardian must approve participation through the consent email.
Where do I submit my film?
Registered participants submit through the online challenge dashboard once the production window is live.