A special themed event screening of Hello Mary Lou Prom Night II at Hysteria Fest 2025
This past July, we had the pleasure of covering Hysteria Fest right here in our hometown of St. Louis, MO. Exciting news just in: the festival is set to return to the Arkadin Cinema Theater from July 10-13, 2025, with submissions opening today, Labor Day, September 2nd!
This year, Hysteria Fest has partnered with the renowned international film distributor Black Mandala, well-known to our HMU audience. This partnership provides filmmakers an incredible opportunity to showcase their films to international buyers and audiences.
The 2025 festival will feature a special Canadian theme, celebrating the nation's contributions to horror cinema. A highlight will be a themed event centered around the cult classic "Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II."
For the first time, Hysteria Fest will include a music video category, offering creators from all genres—whether behind the camera or the drum set—a chance to have their work showcased alongside the festival's exciting film lineup.
Submissions are officially open today, September 2nd, and there's a special Labor Day discount for entries submitted today! Don't miss out—submit your film or video now at:
Stay tuned for more coverage of Hysteria Fest 2025 from HMU!
Hysteria Fest, one of the world’s fastest-growing film festivals, returns for its fourth year, running from July 10-13, 2025, at the historic Arkadin Cinema in the Bevo Mill area of St. Louis, MO. Mark your calendars, horror fans—this year promises to be our biggest and most thrilling yet.
Labor Day Launch: Submissions Open with a Special Sale
Film submissions for Hysteria Fest 2025 will open on Labor Day, September 2nd, with a special Labor Day Sale. We invite filmmakers from around the globe to submit their works and become part of this growing horror phenomenon. Filmmakers can specify in their cover letters whether they want their films considered for the main festival, our series of lead-up events from late 2024 into 2025, or both. We’ll reach out to you if your film is a perfect fit for one of our special events.
Exciting New Partnership with Black Mandala
We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with Black Mandala, a leading agency that specializes in securing distribution for filmmakers. This partnership allows us to recommend films for distribution at any point during the submission process, meaning your film could find a distributor long before the festival even begins. It’s an unprecedented opportunity for filmmakers to gain visibility and distribution on a global scale.
2025: A Year of International Horror with a Canadian Spotlight
Hysteria Fest 2025 will shine a spotlight on Canadian horror, featuring some of the genre’s most iconic films. Our special event this year includes an epic screening and prom night extravaganza themed around the cult classic Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II. But the festival remains committed to showcasing a diverse lineup of cutting-edge horror from every corner of the globe. Expect a blend of international horror that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
Music Videos Take the Stage
This year, we’re opening up submissions to music videos! Selected music videos will be featured throughout the festival, with many set to be showcased during our Saturday evening Prom Night Extravaganza leading up to the screening of Hello Mary Lou: Prom
Night II. It’s a unique opportunity for filmmakers and musicians alike to share their work with an enthusiastic audience.
Exclusive Reviews for Accepted Films
All accepted feature films will be reviewed by one of our partner review sites: ZekeFilm, Horror Movies Uncut, or Destroy the Brain! Short films will also be either reviewed or highlighted, ensuring that every selected film receives the attention it deserves.
About Hysteria Fest
Hysteria Fest launched in 2022 at Arkadin Cinema, nestled in the heart of the historic Bevo Mill area of St. Louis. Our inaugural year, dubbed "Year Zero," was a test run that exceeded all expectations, selling out months in advance and creating an electric, punk rock atmosphere that set the tone for the years to come. Since then, we’ve grown into a permanent fixture in the horror community, accepting submissions from around the world and expanding our festival beyond its original two-day format.
Run by horror lovers for horror lovers, Hysteria Fest is known for its supportive audience, dedication to filmmakers, and commitment to showcasing films that challenge norms and push boundaries. We accept horror films from all subgenres—from slashers to horror-comedies and everything in between. If your film defies expectations and pushes the envelope, we want to see it.
We’re also excited to announce a screenwriting contest, with winners to be revealed on the final evening of the festival. Join us for a celebration of horror in all its forms!
For more information, visit Hysteria Fest Website or contact us at hysteriafilmfestival@gmail.com.
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