At Killer Shorts, we believe horror is at its fiercest when everyone has a seat (or a coffin) at the table. For the seventh season running, we’re slashing entry fees in half for writers from marginalized communities—because barriers shouldn’t keep bold voices out of the dark.
Who’s Eligible?
If you identify as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, non-binary, female-identifying, neurodivergent, disabled, older, first-gen—or any other group historically pushed to the margins, this discount is meant for you. No gatekeeping. No hoops.
How to Get Your 50% Discount
- DM us on Twitter, Bluesky, Facebook, or Substack.
- Or email info@killershorts.com with the subject line “Diversity Discount.”
- We’ll reply privately with the code—no questions asked. (We never post it publicly, so reach out directly.)
Use the discount to submit multiple entries on our Official Site (as long as they don’t include paid feedback).
Key Dates
- 🌕
Early Deadline – Aug 1: The First Script is the Purest - 🔥 Regular – Oct 3: The Fire Grows Hungry
- 🌒 Late – Dec 5: The Script Demands Blood
- 🌑 Extended – Dec 31: Past the Threshold, the Price Increases
Why We Do This
Breaking into the industry is hard enough; contest fees shouldn’t make it harder. Historically excluded voices often face financial and systemic barriers that limit visibility and opportunity. By slashing the entry cost, we aim to level the playing field and ensure horror’s future is shaped by storytellers who reflect the full spectrum of human experience. Your nightmares—and the truths behind them—deserve the spotlight.
“I found the contest through a diversity code on Twitter. Before then, I’d never even considered a horror short. Now I can’t imagine a reality where I didn’t.”
— Alessandra Jara Del Castillo, Season 2 Grand Prize Winner
“Seeing Killer Shorts embrace diverse voices with more than just words keeps me going.”
— Guile Feitosa, twice-quarterfinalist screenwriter
Ready to Raise Hell?
- DM or email us for your private code.
- Polish your script (up to 20 pages).
- Submit through our Official Site using the discount.
- Tag a writer friend who could use this boost.
Horror belongs to the outsiders, the rebels, the voices in the dark.
Let’s make sure the dark is crowded.
Looking for feedback? Check out our short script coverage.
