Micro-Short Horror Film Challenge

What makes a horror film?

What makes a micro-short film?

What happens when you take both into an immersive setting??

This film challenge is collaboration with Terror on Tyne Film Festival, sponsored by Insta360 with support from Sunderland Software City

For this challenge we have two categories:

Traditional Media Category and Immersive Media Category

Challenge Rules
Traditional Media Category

LENGTH OF FILM: 1 minute (excluding credits)

DATES: May 31st - July 3rd

FILM REQUIREMENTS:

Your film can have any sub genre: horror-comedy, horror-drama, horror-sci-fi, etc
Your film credits must not exceed 15 seconds and must not have any narrative elements to the film itself
You must upload subtitles (.txt) file with your entry
So that we know you made this film for the challenge you will need to take a Behind The Scene (BTS) photos of you / team and show us you were filming during the challenge timeline
- This could be with a phone with date on it, with a newspaper with date on it, etc.
- You can upload these BTS photos to our Members HUB
- You can upload these BTS photos to social media but you must tag Newcastle Film Club and Terror on Tyne
Somewhere within your credits please include:
- The line 'Made as part of Newcastle Film Club 2026 Micro-Short Horror Film Challenge'
Submit a poster or screenshot thumbnail for your film which includes the name of your film on the image which can be used on social media
- Image size: 1920x1080 png or jpeg image
AI Rules specific to this challenge:
- No use of generative AI is allowed for this challenge as we want to keep in lines with Terror on Tyne Festival submission rules
When submitting your film please identify if your content will need a Trigger Warning.
- See list of content that can result in trigger warning here.
- If we believe your submission will need a trigger warning, we will create a trigger warning slide that will need to be added to the front of your video. This slide will not effect the time you have for your film.

DEADLINE: You must submit your film via google drive or WeTransfer to NewcastleFilmClub@gmail.com by 23:59 on July 3rd, 2026

SCREENING: Films will be screened on at The Star & Shadow Cinema on July 12th. See Events Page for more details.

Challenge Rules
Immersive Media Category

LENGTH OF FILM: 2 minute (excluding credits)

DATES: May 31st - July 3rd

FILM REQUIREMENTS:

Create a 180, 360 or fully VR micro-short horror film
Your film can have any sub genre: horror-comedy, horror-drama, horror-sci-fi, etc
Your film credits must not exceed 15 seconds and must not have any narrative elements to the film itself
You must upload subtitles (.txt) file with your entry
So that we know you made this film for the challenge you will need to take a Behind The Scene (BTS) photos of you / team and show us you were filming during the challenge timeline
- This could be with a phone with date on it, with a newspaper with date on it, etc.
- You can upload these BTS photos to our Members HUB
- You can upload these BTS photos to social media but you must tag Newcastle Film Club @insta360_uk (Insta360 UK) and @sunsoftcity (Sunderland Software City)
Somewhere within your credits please include:
- The line 'Made as part of Newcastle Film Club 2026 Micro-Short Horror Film Challenge and with support from Insta360 UK'
- If guidance from Sunderland Software City was given, please credit them with ‘Special thanks to Sunderland Software City’
Submit a poster or screenshot thumbnail for your film which includes the name of your film on the image which can be used on social media
- Image size: 1920x1080 png or jpeg image
AI Rules specific to this challenge:
- No use of generative AI for this challenge.
When submitting your film please identify if your content will need a Trigger Warning.
- See list of content that can result in trigger warning here.
- If we believe your submission will need a trigger warning, we will create a trigger warning slide that will need to be added to the front of your video. This slide will not effect the time you have for your film.
Please note that ALL Immersive Media Films submitted will be uploaded to Newcastle Film Club's YouTube page.

DEADLINE: You must submit your film via google drive or WeTransfer to NewcastleFilmClub@gmail.com by 23:59 on July 3rd, 2026

SCREENING: Films will be screened on at The Star & Shadow Cinema on July 12th. See Events Page for more details.

Film Challenge Judging

Meet the judges for this challenge and connect with them online. The judges look at all of the submissions and give the films a rating based on certain criteria. Together, their scores are combined to determine the winners of each category.

Challenge Judge

Terror on Tyne Team

The film directors of Terror on Tyne will be part of the judging panel for the Traditional Media Category. More details of them coming soon!

IG: @terrorontynefilmfestival

Challenge Judge

Liza Kukovska

Liza is the innovation specialist at Sunderland Software City. She will be part of the judging panel for the Immersive Media Category.

Learn more about Sunderland Software City here.

IG: @sunsoftcity

Challenge Judge

YOU???

We are currently looking for 3 NFC members to judge the films submitted for these challenges based on the criteria seen below!

If you're interested in judging, please send an email tilted 'Deja View Judge' to newcastlefilmclub@gmail.com

IG: @yourhandle here!

Judging Criteria

Judges Criteria

The judges for this challenge will be looking at the following 5 key areas when judging and will be ranking each point out of 5 points, for a total of 25 points. The film with the most points will win best overall or runner up.

Learn what's the judges are looking for when it comes to this challenge.

Directing

How well would you rate the directing of actors / story within the film?

Does the film effectively communicate the story? How well would you rate the directing?

Challenge Creativity

How well did they use the limited time to create a compelling story with clear beginning, middle and end?

Did they use immersive media to convey their idea in a unique and interesting way?

How would you rate the overall integration of the challenge with their film?

Relevance

Did the submitted film follow the guidelines for the challenge?

For this challenge we want a micro-short horror film, full rules on NFC website

Audio / Production

How well was the film made? You may take team size into this consideration. How well produced do you think this film is?

Do shot choices enhance the storytelling (e.g., camera angles, movements, and pacing)?

Does the film use visual storytelling effectively to convey information without relying on exposition?

For Immersive Category, how well did the filmmakers use immersive technology to create their film?

Originality

Have you seen anything like this before?
Rate the overall creativity here!

Is the film visually engaging, with creative use of cinematography, colors, and design that enhances the story?

Film Challenge Prizes

Take a look at what's up for grabs in this challenge below!

Best Overall Traditional Media Film Challenge Film

(1st Place)

Mehron Makeup - Stage Blood 9oz Bottle
Horror Film Coffee Table Book (To be determined)
Film will be an official selection to Terror on Tyne Film Festival
Filmmaker will receive a ticket to Terror on Tyne Film Festival
NFC Mug & Tote Bag
Winning film uploaded to NFC's YouTube Channel
Framed Certificate & Digital Certificate
Official Film Challenge Film Wreath

Runner up Traditional Media Film Challenge Film

(2nd Place)

Pigs Might Fly South Dark Washable Fake Blood Scratch Gel (45ml)
NFC Mug
Film will be an official selection to Terror on Tyne Film Festival
Filmmaker will receive a ticket to Terror on Tyne Film Festival
Winning film uploaded to NFC's YouTube Channel
Framed Certificate & Digital Certificate
Official Film Challenge Film Wreath

Best Overall Immersive Media Film Challenge Film

(1st Place)

Insta360 X4 Air Camera - provided by Insta360
NFC Mug & Tote Bag
Winning film uploaded to NFC's YouTube Channel
Framed Certificate & Digital Certificate
Official Film Challenge Film Wreath

Runner up Immersive Media Film Challenge Film

(2nd Place)

As voted on by the audience on the day of the film challenge screening, this award goes to the film that the audience enjoys the most.

Storyboard Notebook
NFC Tote Bag
Winning film uploaded to NFC's YouTube Channel
Framed Certificate & Digital Certificate
Official Film Challenge Film Wreath

Audience Award Traditional Media Film Challenge Film

As voted on by the audience on the day of the film challenge screening, this award goes to the film that the audience enjoys the most.

Engraved Item for Audience Award
Filmmaker will receive a ticket to Terror on Tyne Film Festival
NFC Tote Bag
Winning film uploaded to NFC's YouTube Channel
Framed Certificate & Digital Certificate
Official Film Challenge Film Wreath

Micro-Short Horror Film Challenge

Challenge Rules Traditional Media Category

Challenge Rules Immersive Media Category

Film Challenge Judging

Judging Criteria

Judges Criteria

The judges for this challenge will be looking at the following 5 key areas when judging and will be ranking each point out of 5 points, for a total of 25 points. The film with the most points will win best overall or runner up.

Learn what's the judges are looking for when it comes to this challenge.

Directing

How well would you rate the directing of actors / story within the film?

Does the film effectively communicate the story? How well would you rate the directing?

Challenge Creativity

How well did they use the limited time to create a compelling story with clear beginning, middle and end?

Did they use immersive media to convey their idea in a unique and interesting way? How would you rate the overall integration of the challenge with their film?

Relevance

Did the submitted film follow the guidelines for the challenge?

For this challenge we want a micro-short horror film, full rules on NFC website

Audio / Production

How well was the film made? You may take team size into this consideration. How well produced do you think this film is?

Do shot choices enhance the storytelling (e.g., camera angles, movements, and pacing)? Does the film use visual storytelling effectively to convey information without relying on exposition? For Immersive Category, how well did the filmmakers use immersive technology to create their film?

Originality

Have you seen anything like this before? Rate the overall creativity here!

Is the film visually engaging, with creative use of cinematography, colors, and design that enhances the story?

Film Challenge Prizes

Challenge Rules
Traditional Media Category

Challenge Rules
Immersive Media Category

Did they use immersive media to convey their idea in a unique and interesting way?

How would you rate the overall integration of the challenge with their film?

Do shot choices enhance the storytelling (e.g., camera angles, movements, and pacing)?

Does the film use visual storytelling effectively to convey information without relying on exposition?

For Immersive Category, how well did the filmmakers use immersive technology to create their film?

Have you seen anything like this before?
Rate the overall creativity here!