Malta’s only major horror film festival and film-making challenge is back for its sixth edition.
The team behind Video Nasties! believes that film-makers can only grow and improve by doing: by making short films and watching them on the big screen with a live audience.
“That’s why we remain a no-barrier festival dedicated to encouraging and elevating creators of any experience level,” festival co-founder and organiser Bruce Micallef Eynaud said.
The festival operates on a simple premise: no submission fees, no rejections. It guarantees a cinema screening for every horror short film submitted, provided it meets the following criteria:
• Runtime: 15 minutes or less (including credits).
• Genre: Must fit the horror genre.
• Originality: Must be an original production, filmed after April 2, 2026 (the official launch of Video Nasties! 2026).
• Exclusivity: Must premiere at Video Nasties and cannot be shown publicly beforehand.
• Age Limit: Directors must be 18 years or older.
• Deadline: All entries must be submitted by September 15 at 11.59pm to videonastiesfilm@gmail.com.
Apart from a guaranteed big-screen showcase, participants will compete for a diverse line-up of awards, such as best film, best actor and actress, best screenplay, best cinematography, best SFX make-up, best jump fright, most inventive death, craziest twist ending, best poster (AI us is strictly prohibited) and the honorary ‘WTF is Wrong With You?’.
This year, the festival is also introducing a special new category: best newcomer, dedicated entirely to first-time directors making their film debut. The film-maker behind the best film will take home a high-tech grand prize: a full day’s use of Rupture’s state-of-the-art Virtual Production screen, alongside full use of their studio camera, lights and equipment.
Since its inception, Video Nasties has catalysed the creation of over 60 original horror shorts, many of which have gone on to tour international festival circuits and win global awards.
This year’s festival will be held at the Eden Cinemas on October 30 (Halloween). For more information, join the Facebook group Video Nasties! 2026 and visit videonastiesfestival.com.
