Screams By The Sea Opens Entries For 2027 Festival

Fresh from welcoming more than a thousand attendees across a packed weekend of screenings, industry events and fringe activities, Screams By The Sea has officially opened submissions for its 2027 edition, inviting filmmakers from around the world to bring their latest horror and genre projects to the Dorset coast.

The independent genre festival will return to PDSW in Bournemouth on 6 and 7 March 2027, with organisers once again searching for feature films and short films spanning horror, science fiction, grim dark fantasy and thrillers. Early Bird submissions are now open, with discounted entry available until 9 August before regular and late deadlines on 8 November and 1 December respectively.

Founded in 2023 by filmmaker Radi Nikolov, Screams By The Sea has steadily established itself as a platform for emerging genre talent, combining film screenings with networking opportunities, industry discussions and practical workshops. This year’s event featured nine screenings across two days alongside a programme of filmmaker activities that drew more than 1,000 visitors.

Previous festival selections have included The Turkish Coffee Table, Scarlet Blue, Strange Darling, Time Travel is Dangerous, Loner and The Other People, reflecting the festival’s focus on championing independent productions that might otherwise struggle to reach UK audiences.

Festival Director Radi Nikolov said the event continues to broaden the opportunities available to filmmakers beyond simply screening their work.

“We continue to expand the festival’s benefits for independent filmmakers. From organising press, reviews & social content, and real life networking opportunities, we want Screams By The Sea to be the place where people premiere their films.”

Alongside its film programme, the festival will once again host its international feature screenplay competition, with four writers selected to pitch their projects in person. One screenplay will ultimately receive the Best Screenplay award.

Organisers are also seeking to strengthen relationships with boutique distributors while expanding the festival’s international reach, particularly by encouraging more submissions from Asian and European filmmakers. Successful entrants will receive dedicated promotional support, media opportunities, appearances in the festival’s media lounge and invitations to take part in industry panel discussions during the weekend.

Set just moments from the final resting place of Frankenstein author Mary Shelley, the Bournemouth-based festival continues to celebrate independent genre filmmaking while highlighting new creative voices. The 2027 edition will also include talks, workshops and demonstrations focusing on practical effects and prosthetic make-up, giving audiences and filmmakers the opportunity to hear directly from professionals working within the field.

Nikolov issued a final challenge to prospective entrants, saying: “Our Screams By The Sea audiences are ready for your films. But the question is, do you have what it takes to make us scream?”

Film submissions for Screams By The Sea 2027 are now open. The Early Bird deadline is 9 August, with the festival taking place in Bournemouth on 6 and 7 March 2027. For more information and to submit, visit: screamsbythesea.com/submit