Screamfest 2025: “Don’t Leave The Kids Alone” Dominates Awards as the Festival Celebrates 25 Years of Fear

The cast and crew of Don’t Leave The Kids Alone celebrate their Best Picture win at Screamfest 2025.

Screamfest® Horror Film Festival, the largest and longest-running horror festival in the United States, wrapped its milestone 25th edition in Hollywood last night — and the screams were sweeter than ever. The ten-day celebration of blood, brilliance, and bold storytelling concluded with the premiere of The Hand That Rocks The Cradle, Hulu’s seductive psychological reimagining from director Michelle Garza Cervera (Huesera: The Bone Woman).

Held at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre from October 7–16, this year’s Screamfest once again proved why it remains a cornerstone of horror culture. The festival’s final night honored the very best in genre cinema — with Emilio Portes’ Mexican chiller Don’t Leave The Kids Alone taking home the night’s biggest honors, including Best Picture and Best Director.

A claustrophobic and unnerving psychological horror centered on two fiercely competitive siblings left alone in a new home, Don’t Leave The Kids Alone captivated audiences and judges alike. The film’s technical excellence was also recognized, earning Best Cinematography for Martin Boerge and Best Musical Score for Aldo Max Rodríguez’s haunting composition.

A Celebration of Horror Excellence

Other major winners included Mani Shanks, who was awarded Best Actress for her emotionally charged performance in Shed, and Rodrigo Noya, who took home Best Actor for The Dollmaker. Shed also claimed Best Editing for J. Mihaljevich’s tight, nerve-shredding pacing.

Fans of practical gore had plenty to celebrate as Jason Lei Howden’s Deathgasm 2: Goremageddon lived up to its name, winning Best Special Effects (Amazing Ape Productions & Action Pants FX) and Best Makeup (Patrick Baxter & Jason Dethridge).

On the short film front, Josiah Walker’s Very Prosperous Men won the Audience Award, while Rodolphe Bouquet-Populus’ The Last Snow was crowned Best Short Film by the jury. The Best Animated Short Film honor went to Franken Struck by Sommar Boulware, and Best Student Short was awarded to Terroir by Casey Rogerson.

Screenwriting, Surprises, and Standouts

In the Screamfest Screenplay Competition, Anthony Di Pietro’s High Rise was named Best Screenplay, rounding out an impressive year that spotlighted fresh voices and fearless visions.

Festival Director Rachel Belofsky praised the 2025 lineup for pushing horror’s creative limits, saying,

“This year reaffirmed what makes horror such a vital art form — its power to confront, challenge, and unite us through shared fear and fascination. We couldn’t imagine a more thrilling 25th anniversary.”

With over 50 films screened and a packed house every night, Screamfest 2025 cemented its place as one of the genre’s most essential platforms — a gathering where the next generation of nightmare-makers find their audience and their legacy.

FULL LIST OF WINNERS — SCREAMFEST® HORROR FILM FESTIVAL 2025

Best Picture: Don’t Leave The Kids Alone

Best Director: Emilio Portes – Don’t Leave The Kids Alone

Best Cinematography: Martin Boerge – Don’t Leave The Kids Alone

Best Musical Score: Aldo Max Rodríguez – Don’t Leave The Kids Alone

Best Editing: J. Mihaljevich – Shed

Best Special Effects: Amazing Ape Productions & Action Pants FX – Deathgasm 2: Goremageddon

Best Makeup: Patrick Baxter & Jason Dethridge – Deathgasm 2: Goremageddon

Best Actress: Mani Shanks – Shed

Best Actor: Rodrigo Noya – The Dollmaker

Short Film Audience Award: Very Prosperous Men – Josiah Walker

Best Short Film: The Last Snow – Rodolphe Bouquet-Populus

Best Animated Short Film: Franken Struck – Sommar Boulware

Best Student Short: Terroir – Casey Rogerson

Best Screenplay: High Rise – Anthony Di Pietro