A practical summary of who can submit, what makes a film eligible and the responsibilities that apply to every entry.
This page explains the main eligibility checks and entrant responsibilities in a clear, filmmaker-friendly format. It does not replace the official Submission Terms, which are the legally authoritative policy applying to every submission.
Filmmakers should read the complete Submission Terms before paying a fee or submitting a film. Where anything on this page differs from the official policy, the Submission Terms take precedence.
This page explains the main responsibilities attached to submitting. Use the Submission Guide for current dates, fees, deadlines, required materials and the practical submission process. Use the official Submission Terms for the complete legally authoritative policy.
The entrant must be authorised to submit the work, and the film must meet the current edition’s published requirements for format, completion status, running time and submission route.
Choose the category that best reflects the film’s principal identity or dominant source of horror. Glowflare may reclassify a selected film where another category provides a clearer fit.
Credits, contact details, premiere history, rights information, screening details and content disclosures must be complete and accurate. Material omissions may affect eligibility.
The entrant must hold or have obtained all rights, licences, permissions and consents needed for review, promotion and exhibition under the Submission Terms.
The submitted work must fit the running-time and format limits published for the relevant category and edition.
The work must meet any completion-date, premiere, screening-history or online-availability conditions stated in the official Submission Terms.
A reviewable screener and any required password must remain accessible throughout the assessment period.
Where required, non-English dialogue must be accompanied by accurate English subtitles suitable for review and screening.
The entry must be submitted through an approved route and any required fee must be paid by the relevant deadline.
Relevant mature, sensitive, hazardous or potentially distressing content must be disclosed accurately where requested.
A film may draw on several subgenres. Filmmakers should submit to the category that provides the clearest overall description of the work.
Where another category provides a broader, clearer or more accurate fit, Glowflare may reclassify a selected film during programming or awards administration. Reclassification is an administrative decision and does not affect the film’s selection status, eligibility or awards consideration.
The entrant must have authority to submit the film and must hold, or have obtained, all rights, licences, permissions and consents required for the festival to review, promote and exhibit the work in accordance with the Submission Terms.
This includes permissions relating to music, performances, scripts, artwork, archive material, trademarks, locations and any other protected material used in the film or its promotional assets.
Submitting a film does not guarantee selection, screening, nomination or an award.
Submitted work must have been produced lawfully. Material involving real unlawful harm, abuse, exploitation or cruelty is not accepted.
Entrants must accurately disclose significant mature or sensitive content, including simulated violence, dangerous behaviour, sexual content, discriminatory material, flashing imagery and other potentially distressing material where requested.
Glowflare may reject, withdraw, reclassify or stop exhibiting material that has been inaccurately described, breaches the Submission Terms, creates an unacceptable safety or legal risk, or is otherwise considered unsuitable for the festival.
An entry may be rejected, withdrawn or disqualified where it does not meet the published eligibility criteria, remains inaccessible for review, contains inaccurate or incomplete declarations, lacks necessary rights or permissions, breaches the Submission Terms, or creates an unacceptable legal, safety or operational risk.
Eligibility checks may take place before, during or after programming review. Selection does not prevent the festival from acting later if relevant information was missing, inaccurate or changed after submission.
Submission fees cover the administration and review of an entry. Unless the official Submission Terms state otherwise, fees are not refundable because a film is not selected, is withdrawn by the entrant or is later found to be ineligible.
Current fees, deadlines and submission stages are published in the Submission Guide. Duplicate or mistaken submissions should be reported promptly, but a refund is not guaranteed.
Selected filmmakers may be required to provide an exhibition copy, subtitles, stills, poster artwork, credits, content guidance and other delivery materials by the stated deadline.
Screenings may be subject to age restrictions, venue requirements, programme changes and film-specific audience guidance. Selection does not guarantee a particular screening time, venue, format or level of promotion.
Failure to provide suitable materials or respond within the required timeframe may result in withdrawal from the programme.
Entrants should notify Glowflare promptly if contact details, rights information, screening availability, premiere status or other material submission information changes after entry.
An entrant may request withdrawal, but any fee treatment and the effect of withdrawal are governed by the official Submission Terms. Glowflare may update practical guidance for future editions; the version of the Submission Terms applying to the relevant entry remains authoritative.
Glowflare uses submission and contact information to administer entries, communicate decisions, organise screenings and meet its legal and operational obligations.
Entrants should ensure that the named contact can receive festival communications throughout the submission and programming period.
Review current deadlines, fees, notification dates and the submission process.
Choose a category Horror CategoriesUnderstand how the festival defines its horror traditions and subgenres.
Authoritative policy Submission TermsRead the complete legal terms that apply to every submission.
Common questions FAQsFind answers to common questions about eligibility, submissions, selection and festival participation.
Questions about eligibility or the submission process should be raised before submitting.
Contact Glowflare
