Dracula International Film Festival Opens Global Call for Entries for Its 14th Edition

Brașov, Romania – The Dracula International Film Festival, one of Central and Eastern Europe’s leading genre film festivals, has officially opened submissions for its 14th edition, inviting filmmakers from around the world to showcase the best in horror, fantasy, science fiction, thriller, supernatural, cult, animation, and experimental cinema.

Scheduled to take place 8–11 October 2026 in the medieval city of Brașov, Romania, the festival continues its tradition of celebrating bold storytelling, visionary filmmaking, and the enduring cultural legacy of Dracula. Over the past fourteen years, the festival has established itself as an international meeting point for filmmakers, producers, distributors, critics, and genre cinema enthusiasts.

The festival is currently accepting submissions for feature films (70 minutes or longer) and short films (up to 20 minutes) produced from 2024 onward. Eligible works include horror, fantasy, science fiction, thriller, supernatural, dark comedy, animation, experimental, and other innovative genre productions.

The competition’s top honors include the prestigious Dracula Trophy for Best Feature Film and the Little Dracula Award for Best Short Film. Selected films will be screened before international audiences and industry professionals, offering filmmakers valuable exposure and networking opportunities in one of Europe’s most distinctive genre festivals.

The submission deadline is 31 August 2026, while the Official Selection will be announced on 11 September 2026. Films selected for competition must not have previously screened at another fantasy or horror film festival in Romania. All submissions must include English subtitles or dialogue lists where applicable.

Located in the heart of Transylvania, Brașov provides a unique setting for a festival inspired by one of the world’s most enduring legends. Beyond film screenings, attendees can expect premieres, Q&A sessions, exhibitions, networking events, and an unforgettable celebration of fantastic cinema.

Filmmakers interested in participating are encouraged to submit their work through the festival’s official FilmFreeway page at https://filmfreeway.com/DraculaFilmFestival?utm_campaign=Dracula+Film+Festival&utm_medium=External&utm_source=Submission+Button

Vlad Dracula timeline

July 1447 – 1476

Events explained by Stefan Andreescu in his book, Vlad Tepes (Dracula) between legend and historical facts, 1976: July 13, 1447: Petru II's rule began in Moldova. July 5, 1450: Bogdan II of Moldova pledged vassalage to Iancu of Hunedoara. July 1455 (Summer): Ottoman armies entered Serbia, besieging Semendria and intending to attack Belgrade. July 3, 1456: Iancu of Hunedoara entrusted Vlad Voivode with the defense of southern Transylvania. July 23, 1456: The siege of Belgrade, defended by Iancu of Hunedoara, by Sultan Mehmet II ended. July 1462 (first half or middle): A battle between Vlad and Radu the Handsome's Turkish contingent occurred. July 11, 1462: Mehmet II and his army were back in Adrianopole in disarray, entering the city at night, after the campaign in Wallachia against Vlad the Impaler. July 17, 1462: News from "Venetian merchants" about a major defeat of the Ottoman Sultan by Vlad the Impaler on June...

Bram Stoker's Dracula timeline

July 6, 1897

The ship Demeter finishes taking in its cargo of silver sand and boxes of earth at Varna and sets sail to England.

July 1, 1897

Dr. Seward instructs Renfield to get rid of his spiders, which have become a nuisance. Renfield disgusts the doctor by catching and eating a large blow-fly, claiming it is "strong life" that gives life to him.

June 30, 1897

Jonathan makes a final attempt to find a key by scaling the wall to the Count's room and descending again to the chapel. He finds the Count gorged with blood and attempts to kill him with a shovel, but only manages to gash the Count's forehead. As the Szgany and Slovaks arrive to transport the boxes of earth, Jonathan realizes he is trapped. He decides to attempt a final, desperate escape by climbing down the outer castle wall over the precipice.