Frozen River Film Festival Presents:

Independent Gothic Horror Films

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.

Satruday, October 11th 2025
film Screening Begins at 7:00PM
The ARC (255 Main Street, winona MN)

Step into the shadows with a chilling showcase of seven short films that explore the many faces of horror—from eerie Gothic tales to psychological dread, supernatural terror, and darkly comic frights. This one-night-only event brings together a diverse lineup of independent voices pushing the boundaries of the genre. Following the screenings, join a thought-provoking talkback with the Managing Director of the Frozen River Film Festival and filmmaker Curtis Matzke, as they discuss the craft of making horror films, the unique challenges of the genre, and the evolving landscape of independent filmmaking.

View Off Season Events schedule.

Frozen River Film Festival’s First-Ever 48/5 Reel River Rush

Registrations are open now!

Join FRFF’s first-ever 48/5 Reel River Rush! A fast-paced filmmaking challenge taking place in October! Teams will have just 48-hours to create a 5-minute short film using a surprise genre and prompt revealed at contest kickoff.

Registration Deadline - October 6 (or when spots are filled)

Registration Fee - $35 (per team)

Limited Spots - Only 20 teams can enter (no limit to team size)

Open to all filmmakers of all ages and experience!

Learn more