Toronto After Dark Film Festival

ABOUT THE TORONTO AFTER DARK FILM FESTIVAL

One of the world’s leading showcases of new horror, sci-fi, action and cult films, Toronto After Dark Film Festival has been thrilling audiences for since its establishment in 2006. It is one of the world’s leading showcases of New Horror, Sci-Fi and Action Movies, enjoyed by thousands of attendees each year including film lovers, press, industry and filmmakers. A thrilling cinematic blast for movie fans and filmmakers, Toronto After Dark has been Voted Runner-Up for Best Film Festival in the City by audiences (BlogTO) and One of the Top Genre Film Festivals in the World by filmmakers (MovieMaker). Each year around 1,000 filmmakers from around the world submit films in competition for a coveted screening slot at our October film showcase, packed full of thousands of delighted audience members, seeking new cinematic thrills and chills!

A THRILLING SUCCESS STORY FOR MOVIE FANS & FILMMAKERS!

Inspired by a childhood love of horror, sci-fi and action movies, Festival Director & Founder Adam Lopez gathered up a team of like-minded movie lovers and launched Toronto After Dark October 2006 as a showcase for the latest and greatest new genre films from around the world.

The festival quickly established in the city and by its third edition began selling out of screenings. Many of the current festival team have been with the event since its early years, helping bring the latest and greatest new genre films to movie lovers in the city!

Today, thousands of attendees a year look forward to the thrilling screenings, lively Q&A sessions with visiting filmmaker guests, plus take part in our social events, where fans, press and industry get to mingle with the filmmakers and other guests.

Toronto After Dark audiences have been amongst the first to see some of the most buzzed about genre films of recent years including LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, THE BABADOOK, TRICK ‘R TREAT, TRAIN TO BUSAN, BLACK DYNAMITE, V/H/S, as well as the a recent edition in the popular CHUCKY movie franchise!

Many fan-favourite filmmakers and actors have had new works of theirs screen as part of Toronto After Dark Film Festival including:

Adrian Brody, Alexander Skarsgard, Alyson Hannigan, Angelica Huston, Anna Chumsky, Anna Paquin, Anthony Head, Awkwafina, Bill Mosely, Billy Zane, Brad Dourif, Brian Cox, Chloe Sevigny, Christopher Lloyd, Clancy Brown, Courtney Cox, Crispin Glover, Danny Trejo, Dave Foley , David Arquette, Denis Villeneuve, Dolph Lundgren, Don Mancini, Eli Roth, Elijah Wood, Emma Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Eva Green, J.J.Abrams, Jason Mewes, Jason Statham, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Jeffrey Combs, Jennifer Tilly, Jet Li, Joe Dante, John Landis, John Travolta, John Waters, Kat Dennings, Lance Henriksen, Leelee Sobieski, Liev Schreiber, Lloyd Kaufman, Mark Hamill, Martin Starr, Michael Biehn, Michael Rapaport, Mickey Rourke, Mike Flanagan, Milla Jovovich, Milo Ventimiglia, Natasha Lyonne, Neil Marshall, Ray Harryhausen, Ray Wise, Robert Englund, Ron Perlman, Rosanna Arquette, Sam Neil, Selma Blair, Simon Pegg, Sion Sono, Sonny Chiba, Takashi Miike, Thomas Jane, Ti West, Tom Savini, Tony Todd, Udo Kier, Walter Koenig, William Shatner and Zachary Quinto.

DEADLINES & FEES

Opening Date
May 8 , 2025

Notification Date
September 30, 2025

Event Date
October 15 - 19, 2025

Visit the Toronto After Dark Film Festival website for more information.