The Cat Horror Anthology Search

A unique film festival experience

What:

A search for pet horror short films to include in an anthology film and live screening.

Why:

Because short films should have a life after film festivals

Where:

Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute

7936 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood CA 90046

When:

March 30th, 2026

About the Search:

Do you have a terrifying tale featuring our feline friends? We’re seeking short horror films that put cats (or other animals) at the center of the scare. Whether they’re sinister shapeshifters, supernatural companions, or the source of unexplainable terror, your most frightening animal-inspired story could claw its way into an anthology!

Selected winners will have their shorts included in a special, in-person film screening on March 30th, 2026 at the Marilyn Monroe Theater at the Lee Strasburg Theater and Film Institute in West Hollywood, California

Select winners will also have their films included in a feature-length horror anthology film for international distribution. This is your chance to showcase your work alongside other emerging voices in horror and bring your twisted vision of cats to a wide audience of genre fans.
We are an up and coming LA-based production company looking to combine what we love most: cats and horror. We have contacts with domestic and international distributors and a robust PR plan.

Timeline

Jan 31st, 2026

Feb 28th, 2026

March 30th, 2026

Regular Deadline

Notification Date

Live Screening

Prizes:

Inclusion in a professionally produced feature-length anthology film with a live, in-person screening at the Lee Strasburg Theater and Film Institute in West Hollywood, California.

Global distribution and exposure to genre fans worldwide

Official credit and promotional support for your film

Selected films will enter into a profit-sharing agreement, where each filmmaker receives a percentage of profits proportional to the runtime of their short relative to the total runtime of the anthology

Rules:

Length: 1–30 minutes
Theme: Cats, pets, or other animals in horror, sci-fi, or thriller (any subgenre or style welcome)
No restriction on completion date—new or older shorts accepted
Original work only
There will be 3-10 winners selected
All languages accepted (subtitles required for non-English dialogue)
Winners will be required to sign over non-exclusive exhibition rights to the film for a term of 8 years in exchange for a profit sharing agreement.
You must have image release documentation for all performers, artwork, and music shown in your film.
We cannot guarantee any level of distribution, promotion, or revenue for winners