About Fear Screen, who it's for, and what to expect.
Fear Screen is an international horror film festival based in The North East England. It celebrates genre cinema from psychological horror and body horror to slashers, creature features, and everything in between. The festival runs across 12 days each November, showcasing short films, features, documentaries, and special events from filmmakers around the world.
Fear Screen 2026 runs from 2–13 November 2026 in Middlesbrough, England. Venue details and the full programme will be announced in advance of the festival. Sign up to our press releases or follow us for updates.
Fear Screen is for horror fans, genre filmmakers, industry professionals, and anyone with a passion for dark cinema. The festival is open to the public for most screenings, with dedicated press, industry, and filmmaker programming running alongside.
Fear Screen is a registered UK limited company (17057757, Registered Office: 86 - 90 Paul Street, London, EC2A 4NE), and operated by Set Starters Group a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting the filmmaking community. While Fear Screen holds its own legal registration, it operates under Set Starters Group's non-profit ethos, meaning any profits generated are reinvested back into supporting the horror filmmaking community rather than being distributed for personal gain.
At the current moment we receive no public grants or arts body funding and rely entirely on ticket sales, sponsorships, and community support to keep the festival running. Press coverage directly contributes to that every article, review, and mention makes a genuine difference to an independently run festival.
There are a few ways to stay in the loop depending on what you're after:
Who qualifies, how to apply, and what your pass includes.
Accreditation is open to journalists, critics, photographers, videographers, podcasters, bloggers, and content creators who plan to produce coverage of Fear Screen. We assess applications based on your publication or platform, your audience, and your planned coverage not purely on follower counts. Independent creators are welcome to apply.
We offer four pass types:
Select the type that best matches your primary role when applying.
Apply via our Press Accreditation page. Complete the form with your personal details, publication or platform, pass type, and a brief description of your planned coverage. We'll review your application and respond within 5 working days. A confirmation email is sent automatically upon submission.
The deadline will be confirmed and announced via our press releases. We strongly recommend applying as early as possible, passes are subject to availability and capacity, and early applicants are processed first. Apply here to avoid missing out.
Yes. Press accreditation is provided free of charge to all approved applicants. As an independent non-profit festival, we actively want to make access as easy as possible for the press community. There are no processing fees, registration costs, or hidden charges.
You'll receive an automatic confirmation email when you submit your application. Our press team then reviews all applications and will send a follow-up email to the address you provided confirming approval or requesting further information. Allow up to 5 working days. If you haven't heard back, check your spam folder and then contact press@fearscreen.com.
Yes. Unlike some festivals, Fear Screen does not require you to be staff at a publication. Freelancers, independent critics, and self published writers are welcome to apply. Please provide links to recent published work or your platform so we can assess your application.
No. Press accreditation is issued to named individuals and is non-transferable. If a colleague requires accreditation they should submit their own application via the accreditation form.
Screenings, access, photography, and on-site information.
Approved press pass holders gain access to the Fear Screen Press Dashboard, which serves as your central hub for all festival information throughout the event. This includes press conference schedules, press screening timetables, and the ability to book attendance for selected events across the full festival programme. Please note that some festival events have limited or no capacity for journalists, so we strongly encourage pass holders to review the schedule carefully and book early where required. In addition to event access, approved pass holders receive the full digital press kit and access to the press contact list. If you wish to request access to or an introduction to a selected filmmaker, please be aware that we cannot guarantee interviews or direct access, availability depends entirely on each filmmaker's schedule and willingness to participate. In line with GDPR and our privacy policy, we will always seek their permission before sharing any contact details or arranging introductions.
Yes. Selected titles in the programme will have dedicated press screenings ahead of their public premiere. The press screening schedule will be published on this site and distributed to all accredited press ahead of the festival. Press screenings are capacity-limited, we recommend booking early once ticketing opens.
Photography is permitted at designated press areas, Q&As, red carpet moments, and press events. Filming of screened content is strictly prohibited, this applies to everyone, including accredited press. Violating this will result in immediate accreditation withdrawal. If you require extended photographic access, apply for a Photography Pass via the accreditation form.
All interview requests should be submitted to press@fearscreen.com as early as possible, ideally before the festival begins. Include your publication, the subject you'd like to interview, and your preferred format (in-person, phone, or written Q&A). We coordinate with filmmakers and talent directly and will do our best to facilitate requests, but cannot guarantee availability.
Collection point details will be included in your accreditation confirmation email closer to the festival dates. Please bring valid photo ID matching the name on your accreditation. Passes cannot be collected on behalf of other people.
Please cancel any bookings you can no longer attend as soon as possible. This frees capacity for other press attendees and the wider audience. Repeated no-shows may affect your eligibility for future accreditation.
Logos, images, and assets for editorial use.
No. All assets on the Press Materials page are freely available to any journalist, blogger, or media professional for editorial coverage. Accreditation is only required to attend the physical festival.
Yes. All images in the press kit are cleared for editorial use, reviews, news articles, preview features, and blog posts. Images must be credited as © Fear Screen Film Festival, or as specified within individual files. Commercial use is not permitted without prior written consent.
No. Logos must be used exactly as provided, do not alter colours, proportions, typography, or add effects. Multiple approved variants (white, black, on red) are included in the press kit to cover different publication contexts. If you need a specific format not available, contact press@fearscreen.com.
All official posters, key art, and approved event photography are available on the Press Materials page. You can download individual asset categories or grab the complete press kit as a single ZIP file. Additional materials may be added as the festival approaches.
Email press@fearscreen.com with your specific request, whether it's a higher resolution version of an asset, a specific logo format, or promotional copy for a particular film. We'll do our best to help within a reasonable turnaround.
Get in touch with the Fear Screen press team.
Press & Accreditation Enquiries
Response within 5 working days. For urgent festival week enquiries, please mark your subject line URGENT.
Sponsorship & Partnership
For sponsorship opportunities, brand partnerships, and commercial enquiries.
Film Submissions
Film submissions are managed via the Film Freeway. Press accreditation and film submission are separate processes.
Useful Links
