2026 Horror Development Lab

Helping Advance Diversity in Genre

Blood in the Snow Film Festival was founded to push the boundaries of Canadian genre cinema, championing independent films and diverse voices for over a decade. Our programming prioritizes quality and representation — showcasing Indigenous, French-language, disability-led, and underrepresented narratives within an already underserved genre.

Canadian genre cinema still lacks meaningful representation. In response, we launched the Blood in the Snow Horror Development Lab, now in its 6th year as part of the 2026 Deadly Exposure Industry Conference — offering BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+, women, and underrepresented creators the resources, feedback, and industry connections to bring their projects from script to screen.

2026 Horror Development Lab Submissions

Each year, 12 underrepresented Canadian genre filmmakers are selected to develop their projects through the Lab — moving from short-form concepts toward features and series with real industry support behind them.

The Lab is designed to move projects forward. Participants work with established directors, producers, and broadcasters through workshops, market meetings, and industry sessions. By the end, you'll have sharper pitches, revised packages, real feedback, and meaningful connections — plus full access to Deadly Exposure and a screening pass to the Blood in the Snow Film Festival, November 16–21, 2026.

The Horror Lab participants will receive the following:

• Filmmakers will receive advice and feedback on their short-to-feature pitches from established directors, producers, and broadcasters.
• Industry leads will challenge the participants to push their vision through to the very end by identifying and navigating through any development obstacles and changes.
• A curated itinerary including a focus on marketing and distribution, scheduled market meetings with attending industry advisors and leads, and short film screenings and pitch feedback.
• Participants will leave with advice on how to revise their package and move forward with it.
• Participants will leave with important film business insights and connections.
• Industry/peer networking opportunities.
• Participants will receive a free Screening & Industry Pass to attend the 2026 Blood in the Snow Film Festival + Deadly Exposure.

Who can apply?

• Black
• Indigenous, Métis or Inuit
• Person of Colour
• 2SLGBTQIA+* (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Two-Spirit, Intersex, Asexual, and other identities that fall outside cisgender and heterosexual paradigms.)
• Women*
• Disabled (visible and invisible)*

* For all applicants, priority acceptance will be given to projects with BIPOC representation in front and behind the camera.

If you applied to the 2025 Horror Lab and did not make the program, you can apply again. Please do not apply again if you were accepted last year. You are, however, able to apply for the 2027 program.

The lead Lab participant also must:

• Must be a Canadian citizen.
• Must plan to shoot their film project primarily in Canada.
• Must have completed at least one polished, completed short film (3 to 30 minutes in length).
• Must feel that they are ready to make a feature film or web/TV series.
• This is a HORROR development lab, so the film needs to be some type of "genre" project that is horror, sci-fi, action or thriller.

What do you need in your application?

All applications this year will be submitted through Film Freeway (opens in new tab) and must include the following:

• At least one previous completed short film that is either its own project or a short done as proof of concept (under 30 minutes).
• A three-page pitch book/proposal (in PDF) uploaded to Film Freeway describing the project. View pitch document guidelines.
• A budget summary using this template.

I'm really interested in the lab, but I don't feel quite ready to take on a feature film or TV series just yet. Is there another way I might be able to get involved?

Yes, you can purchase a Deluxe Pass (opens in new tab) that will give you access to watch the micro lab panels (Nov 16 & 17) and watch the lab pitches (Nov 16). You can also attend all of the Deadly Exposure conference (Nov 19–21) and the entire festival line-up in the evenings November 16 to 21, 2026 at the Isabel Bader Theatre. This is strictly limited to only 25 people and is open to any filmmaker to purchase.

Other important details:

• The attendee can be the Producer/Director and/or primary writer of the project and must have the full rights to the proposed project.
• All rights remain with the filmmaker, and BITS has no proprietary interest in any of the projects.
• Although the mentor lab will be conducted in English, Francophone, Indigenous language, and other language projects are welcome and encouraged.
• Applicants must commit to attending the program in person from November 16 to 18, 2026, in Toronto, Canada. Deadly Exposure dates of November 19 to 21, 2026 are optional but encouraged.
• Applicants must be Canadian citizens and reside in Canada.
• Up to two people per project will be allowed to attend the program. The first person can attend free, but there will be a $100 fee if a second person attends.
• You do not need to be an alumnus of the Blood in the Snow Film Festival to be part of the program.
• You can apply for both the festival and the lab with the same application on Film Freeway (opens in new tab). There is an option when you apply for the lab to also be considered for the festival.
• We strongly suggest that you upload a second version of your film on Film Freeway (opens in new tab) if it's already there, so that the file for your pitch isn't visible for your other festival submissions you may be doing.