Independent horror takes over a South London cinema on Friday 30 October 2026. Halloween Horror Film Festival brings short films, filmmaker introductions, audience voting and awards to Coldharbour Blue Cinema — while its separate 48-hour challenge gives creators a reason to make something rather than just watch.
At a glance
- Date: Friday 30 October 2026
- Time: 5pm–11:30pm
- Venue: Coldharbour Blue Cinema, 259–260 Hardess Street, Loughborough Junction, London SE24 0HN
- Festival ticket: £14 per person on the festival’s current ticket page
- 48-hour challenge: 9–11 October; registration by 8 October
What happens on festival night?
The organiser currently promises a full evening of independent short-film screenings, filmmaker introductions and networking, audience voting, an awards ceremony, complimentary snacks and a fancy-dress competition. The 2026 selection is still developing, so check the festival programme again closer to the night.
The 48-Hour Halloween Horror Film Challenge
The challenge is separate from attending the festival. Teams must register by Thursday 8 October. At 8pm on Friday 9 October registered teams receive the required criteria, theme and/or elements; finished films are due by 8pm on Sunday 11 October.
The festival’s current rules confirm that the film must be written, filmed, edited and completed during the challenge period. Selected challenge films can screen at the festival.
There is currently conflicting fee information across the live submission routes. Check the live checkout before paying rather than relying on an older quoted fee.
READ THE CURRENT 48-HOUR CHALLENGE RULES →
More horror cinema
This sits neatly beside our October CC WATCH cinema guide: one is about the wider month at the cinema, while this is for the indie filmmakers and horror shorts that can disappear beneath the blockbuster noise.
Accessibility
Event-specific access information has not yet been published clearly enough for us to state step-free access, wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, captions or sensory provision as confirmed. If you have access requirements, contact the organiser before booking.
Why this one made the Halloween pile
It lands between Chill & Thrill and Creative & Education: a Halloween night out for horror fans, but also a practical invitation for emerging filmmakers to make a five-minute idea happen under pressure.
Keep planning Halloween
Continue with our Horror Events guide or Halloween 2026 in London & the South East rather than ending the spooky mooch here.
Checked 20 September 2026. Prices, programme details and submission information can change; always check the organiser’s live booking or submission page before paying.
