Ripcord Halloween Festival Sets 12 Finalists for TCL Chinese Theatre
The inaugural festival expanded its final lineup from a planned Top 10 to 12 shorts, which will screen in Hollywood on October 29, 2026.
Ripcord's Halloween Film Festival has announced the 12 short films advancing to its final lineup, expanded from an originally planned Top 10, according to bloody-disgusting.com. The finalists will screen for a live audience at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
The shorts span horror, sci-fi, thriller and fantasy. The finalists compete for more than $200,000 in cash prizes, including $100,000 for first place.
The dozen titles were chosen from a field of 50 shorts curated from more than 500 submissions to the festival's inaugural edition. The lineup grew from 10 to 12 after fan voting, and the 50 curated shorts continue to screen for free online at ripcord.film.
Jury and daily Q&As
The five jurors are Tim Miller, Jean Lauer, Lisa Ogdie, Neville Page and Peter Phok. Miller directed Deadpool and Terminator: Dark Fate; Lauer is Director of Short Film Programming at Fantastic Fest; Ogdie is a Short Film Programmer for Sundance Film Festival; Page is an Emmy Award-winning designer; and Phok is an independent film producer.
Before the live event, Ripcord is hosting daily Q&As on ripcord.film with the filmmakers behind the top 12 shorts. Winners will be announced on the morning of October 30, 2026.
Quick answers
When is the Ripcord Halloween Film Festival live event?
The 12 finalist shorts screen at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
What are the prizes?
Finalists compete for more than $200,000 in cash prizes, including a $100,000 first-place prize. Winners are announced on the morning of October 30, 2026.
How can I watch the shorts?
The 50 curated shorts screen for free online at ripcord.film, and daily Q&As with the top 12 filmmakers are hosted there before the live event.