A Festival Built on Fear, Passion, and Pure Love for Horror
The Toronto Horror Film Festival was born from a lifelong obsession with films and a deep, personal connection to horror. From childhood weekends spent scanning the newspaper for showtimes to trembling through Paranormal Activity in a basement, our founder grew up with a love for cinema, and a special place in their heart for the kind of fear only horror can deliver.
In 2023, that love turned into action. After making his first short film and experiencing the highs (and costs) of submitting to festivals, it became clear: indie horror creators deserve more accessible platforms. So we created one.
What Makes Us Different
We’re for filmmakers. Submission fees are kept as low as possible, and the entire event is free to attend. We believe cost should never be a barrier to sharing bold, creative horror.
We’re 100% volunteer-run. Everyone behind this festival does it for the love of horror. No salaries, no fluff—just passion, sweat, and a shared belief in the power of indie storytelling.
We spotlight fearless, independent voices. Whether it’s your first film or your tenth, we’re here for the work that dares to go dark, weird, or way too intense for the mainstream.