• Participation is open to emerging filmmakers and crew members.
• An emerging filmmaker is a writer, producer, director, cinematographer, or editor at the start of their career who has not yet secured a theatrical release via a distributor or obtained government feature film funding. 
• A crew member is any individual in a below-the-line role beginning their professional journey and looking to expand their experience, industry connections, and technical skills.
• Participants must be 18 years of age or older at the time of application. 
• Participants must reside within the Greater Wellington Region. 
• All participants must be New Zealand citizens, residents, permanent residents, or hold a valid temporary work, partner, or study visa.

1. Emerging filmmakers and crew based in the Wellington region apply for the chance to be selected into teams to create a short film that will be premiered at the Terror-Fi Film Festival 2026. Applicants will select their preferred primary, secondary and tertiary roles, allowing for flexibility when forming teams. Applications close: 20 September 6:00 PM.
2. Successful participants will be matched into teams by the Terror-Fi and Screen Wellington programming teams and assigned a main role, using a curated approach that balances skill sets and experience. The selection process will encourage diversity and prioritise matching filmmakers and crew who haven’t worked together previously.
3. We appreciate that not all applicants may be selected to take part in this year’s competition. Selection decisions are final and, due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to enter into individual discussions or correspondence regarding the outcome of applications.
4. The core team can then bring in additional cast and crew as they require.
5. Participants will be notified via a team email on 22 September. Teams will also be published on this website.
6. Once you receive your team introduction email, there is a 24 hour window before production can begin. During these 24 hours, team members can reach out to each other and get excited together. Likewise you can also reach out to the Terror-Fi team should you wish to discuss the outcome of your placement within a team before production begins.
7. Production begins on 23 September where the secret theme will be announced via a team video call.
8. Teams will then have four weeks to make a short film of 5 minutes or less. Teams will be given a theme, and can then select any Terror-Fi genre they like to express that theme - horror, thriller, sci-fi, fantasy, action, dark comedy, or a mix. Each team will receive $500 towards production costs (materials, equipment hire, etc.), managed by the assigned team member by the Terror-Fi and Screen Wellington team. Teams will receive guidance from the Terror-Fi team during pre-production, production, and post via video conference. Screen Wellington will provide pastoral care via weekly video check ins, as well as permitting support.
9. Push the boundaries, not the limits. We encourage bold, provocative films. Films must not contain hate speech, discrimination, or material that could reasonably be considered inappropriate.
10. At the end of the four weeks, films must be fully completed and submitted by the deadline. Submission file specifications will be provided to each team at the start of production. Submission deadline: 21 October, 6:00pm.
11. A jury panel made up of experienced film professionals will then select the top three films, with winning teams receiving a range of cash and other exciting prizes presented at the premiere screening.

• 20 September 6:00 PM: Applications close
• 22 September: Participants notified via a team email and teams will also be published on the website.
• 23 September: Theme ammouncment (via video call) and production begins
• 21 October, 6:00pm: Submission deadline
• 28 October to 1 November: Screenings and awards

• All films will be screened at our special premiere event at the Terror-Fi Film Festival at The Roxy Cinema (28 October – 1 November). 

• With permission from teams, suitable films will also be individually paired with a feature film. 

• Along with a range of prizes, the overall winning film will be screened as part of Terror-Fi’s Short Film Showcase Competition.

• Rights to the completed films will be retained by the teams to ensure the films are able to be screened at other festivals around the world and placed online when the teams are ready to do so. All films will be invited to be showcased on the Terror-Fi Unleashed digital platform, once the filmmakers are ready for their film to be screened online.

• You must have all the rights to all the material that appears in your film and your film must not breach copyright. Therefore use of AI must be limited to improving workflow and the efficiency of productivity. No use of generative AI is allowed.

• The information provided in this application will be collected and used by the Terror-Fi Film Festival and Screen Wellington teams for the purposes of assessing applications, selecting participants, administering the programme, connecting team members together, and communicating with participants. 

• Personal information will only be accessed by those involved in administering and delivering the programme and will not be shared with third parties except where necessary to deliver the programme or where required by law.

• By submitting an application, you consent to your information being collected and used for these purposes. Your information will be stored securely and handled in accordance with applicable New Zealand privacy legislation.

• If you have any questions about how your information is collected or used, please contact Terror-Fi Film Festival at james@admitonenz.com.

• Terror-Find My Tribe is committed to creating a safe, inclusive and respectful environment for all participants. Bullying, harassment, discrimination, intimidation or threatening behaviour will not be tolerated.

• All participants are expected to treat fellow filmmakers, crew, mentors, organisers and other participants with respect and professionalism. Any behaviour that compromises the safety or wellbeing of others may result in removal from the programme and/or disqualification from the competition.

Terror-Fi is New Zealand’s premier genre film festival; showcasing the best horror, thriller, sci-fi and other fantastically awesome films from around the world.

We champion the big screen and the films that deserve to be seen on it. We celebrate filmmakers, unique stories, new voices, and also local talent.

Terror-Fi wouldn’t be anything without the fans, so we provide truly unique experiences both on and off screen; including custom pre-shows, themed lobbies, custom food and drink menus, dress-up events, DJs, special guests, and filmmaking masterclasses.

Founded in 2017 by New Zealand genre producer and distributor James Partridge, Terror-Fi now has a home in New Zealand’s three largest cities (Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch) playing to an audience of over 7,000 of passionate genre fans each year.

Screen Wellington is the Regional Film office for the greater Wellington Region and a business unit within WellingtonNZ. 

As a UNESCO City of Film, Screen Wellington leads and partners on initiatives that promote growth and sustainable development across our diverse screen sector. This designation celebrates Wellington as the premier hub within Aotearoa New Zealand for cinematic education, creative production, and vibrant screen industry engagement.