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‘Deadpool’s Director Is Presiding Over the Biggest Short Film Contest Ever [Exclusive]
The Ripcord Halloween Film Festival has selected 12 finalists from more than 500 horror short film entries, expanding its planned top ten after close voting. The films will screen at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood on 29 October, with the winner announced the next day; the contest offers the largest prize ever for a short film competition.
The winner will receive $100,000, with a further $100,000 shared among runners-up, and all 50 shortlisted entries are available to watch free on Ripcord.film. The five judges include Tim Miller, director of *Deadpool* and *Terminator: Dark Fate*, alongside festival programmers, a creature designer and a horror film producer. The finalists span varied horror premises, from folklore and hauntings to cannibal characters and a demonic horse-man.
In short
- Twelve films made the final after more than 500 entries.
- The winner will receive a record $100,000 prize.
- Tim Miller is among the five judges.
Explained simply
Short film competitions give filmmakers a chance to tell a complete story in a limited running time, often with smaller budgets than feature films. Horror is a common format for shorts because a brief film can build suspense around a single unsettling idea.
Tim Miller is a film director whose work includes the superhero film Deadpool and Terminator: Dark Fate. In a judged contest, filmmakers’ work is assessed by a panel that may bring experience in directing, producing, design and festival programming.
A large cash prize can make a competition especially significant for independent filmmakers, who may use the money and attention to develop future projects. Screenings at a well-known cinema can also introduce short films to audiences beyond online viewers.