Jacksonville, FL – The shadows are stirring, and Jacksonville is about to bleed cinema. The Jacksonville Horror Film Festival makes its debut on March 13–14, 2026, bringing a wicked celebration of horror to the heart of the city. This is a weekend built for brave souls and genre fanatics. Independent filmmakers from around the world will descend on Jacksonville, unleashing twisted, blood-splattered thrills, and enough scares to leave even the most seasoned horror fans clinging to their seatmates. Our inaugural theme, First Blood, sets the tone: fresh voices, daring debuts, and enough blood to make Freddy and Jason blush. Festival-goers can expect two full days of screenings, panels, celebrity judges, and an awards ceremony that isn’t afraid to get a little messy. Categories range from Best of the Fest to Scream Queen, with a few delightfully unhinged surprises in store. Vendors, local distillers, and horror-themed partners will transform the venue into a living, breathing monster of a party. Festival Directors DJ Remark and Samantha Spaniak promise an experience that drips with atmosphere. “We want people to step into this festival and feel like they’ve crossed into another world.
This is a celebration of horror film and the fans that make it truly shocking.,” said Remark. Spaniak added, “Jacksonville has the talent, the energy, and the audience to become a horror destination. This festival is our way of propping up the culture of Jacksonville and turning it spooky.” The Hick’s Auditorium at the Downtown Public Library will host the carnage, while Jacksonville itself becomes the stage for a community-wide celebration of horror. The festival is expected to draw audiences, filmmakers, and vendors from across the country, boosting local tourism, energizing downtown businesses, and putting the city on the map for genre lovers worldwide. Submissions are now open on FilmFreeway.
Tickets are available on Ticketbud, vendor opportunities, and sponsorship packages are available on the festival website. Sponsors who come on board will help bring celebrity guests, highlight independent voices, and establish Jacksonville as a hub for horror and film culture. We Have Seven Bridges…To Hell! 1 Jacksonville Horror Film Festival | Press Release Stay tuned for announcements of celebrity guests, special events, and sinister surprises in the months ahead. Consider this your first warning: once you enter, you may never want to leave. Media Contact: Jacksonville Horror Film Festival Jaxhorrorfest@gmail.com www.jaxhorrorfilmfest.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jaxhorrorfilmfest/ IG - @Jaxhorrorfest Tickets - https://jaxhorrorfilmfest.ticketbud.com/jacksonvillehorrorfilmfestival
About the Jacksonville Horror Film Festival
The Jacksonville Horror Film Festival was founded in 2025 by DJ Remark and Samantha Spaniak. The festival’s mission is to showcase independent horror cinema, celebrate the genre’s diverse voices, and position Jacksonville as a rising hub for film and entertainment. The inaugural event will take place March 13–14, 2026, at the Hick’s Auditorium, Downtown Public Library.