FilmQuest is an international film festival for genre films held annually in Provo, Utah, United States. It premieres and awards both feature and short films, and hosts celebrities, artists, filmmakers, industry reps and press from the fantastic, sci-fi and horror genres.
It is often cited as one of the most important genre festivals in the United States, being named twice as one of MovieMaker Magazine's 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World in 2024 and 2023, 50 Bloody Best Genre Fests in the World in 2021 and 2019, and six times named one of their 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee in 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2017, 2015, as well as one of Dread Central's Best Horror Festivals in the World in both 2022 and 2021.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]
History
FilmQuest was founded in 2014 by filmmaker Jonathan Martin, who has been serving as festival director.[9][10]
Reception
DreadCentral panelists wrote that FilmQuest "has risen fast to become one of the coolest and most important genre festivals on the US circuit, with a fair selection and judging process that allows for indie discoveries in numerous categories".[5][6]
MovieMaker panelists appreciated that screenings happen in one location, the Velour Live Music Gallery, and around Halloween, which allows for "unparalleled and fun networking events for the attending filmmakers", and the Q&A’s ensure that the audience gets a deep insight into the films.[3][1][7]
As of March 2025, FilmQuest is the best reviewed festival on FilmFreeway, with over 450 positive reviews from selected filmmakers.[11][9]
Awards
An international jury awards various feature and short film categories where nominees are announced, including the festival's flagship awards Best Feature Film and Grand Prize Best Short Film (the latter introduced in 2023, where the winer is chosen among the winners in every other major short category). The 2024 Grand Prize winner I'm Not a Robot went on to win the Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film.[12][13]
2024 nominees: Birdcage (Belgium), Coléoptère (France), Dead End (Russia), Empty Jars (Chile), Fisitor (Wales), La Croix (France), Replacement (Spain), The Bomb (Turkey), The Red Stone (Mexico)
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