(LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- ACME Screening Room, the independent arthouse cinema anchoring Lambertville's historic Union Street, announces submissions are open for the fifth annual Lambertville Halloween Film Festival (LHFF), the judged short film competition that kicks off the town's celebrated Halloween season. Official deadline for submissions is July 25, 2026.
The festival weekend will combine the juried short film program with parties, guest speaker events, and screenings of both cult classics and film premieres, including the upcoming Vincent Price documentary.
ACME Screening Room invites horror short filmmakers of all backgrounds and experience levels to submit their work for consideration in this year's Lambertville Halloween Film Festival. Submissions are accepted here.
Shorts from 10 seconds to 44 minutes are eligible, with no restrictions on exclusivity or production date — new or previously released, ACME says it welcomes any short that represents strong horror filmmaking. Six films will be selected to receive festival awards.
Awards & Prizes will be handed out to those deemed Best Pure Horror, Best Experimental, Best Horror Comedy, Best Psychological Thriller, Best Special Effects, and Best Actor/Actress.
This year's submissions will compete across four categories. Filmmakers with work that doesn't fit neatly into a category are still encouraged to submit.
Heart-Stopping Horror - Pure, visceral, traditional horror
Mind Games - Psychological and tension-driven horror
Dead Funny - Horror comedy and dark humor
Twisted Visions - Experimental, avant-garde, boundary-pushing horror
A Jury of Genre Veterans
Submissions will be reviewed by a jury of professional horror filmmakers, collectors, and dedicated genre enthusiasts. Confirmed judges for this year include:
Joseph Gioconda — An intellectual property and entertainment lawyer and author of horror and historical fiction, including the #1 Amazon bestseller *The Pope's Butcher*, followed by *Salem's Ropes* and *Fleeting Chills*. Gioconda studied for the Catholic priesthood before earning his law degree from Yale, a background that shapes his fiction. He is also an avid horror prop collector, with pieces from his collection housed at his Nightmare in New Hope art gallery.
Damien Glonek — Co-creator of Living Dead Dolls, the longest continuously running horror-themed doll series. A horror fan since childhood, Glonek co-hosts the podcast *Discover the Horror*, has written for entertainment outlets and horror magazines, works as a published artist, and serves as Director of Development for Mezco Toyz.
Brad Anderson— Film and television director, producer, and writer known for psychological thrillers and horror including *Session 9* (2001), *The Machinist* (2004) starring Christian Bale, and *The Call* (2013) with Halle Berry. Anderson began filmmaking at age ten and trained at the London International Film School; his television credits include *The Wire*, *Boardwalk Empire*, and *Fringe*.
There will be a LAST Minute Deadline for submissions on August 15, 2026. Filmmakers will be notified on September 1st.
ACME Screening Room is a nonprofit weekend theater that presents classic, independent, and documentary films to educate and inspire. The ACME is a space where audiences come together to discuss contemporary ideas presented through the world of film, the arts, and community engagement. As a cultural resource, they invite participation through guest speakers and discussions, partnerships with local businesses and organizations, support of new projects by artists and filmmakers, and programming that reflects the diversity of our audience.
Films are screened using a state-of-the-art digital projection and surround sound system. The ACME Screening Room is a 501c3 nonprofit entity.
