Sam Raimi launched his career with The Evil Dead, a horror film made with almost no money. Now he is helping a new director do the same with a short horror film. The offer comes at a good time. Raimi’s latest hit, Send Help, and his producing work on Evil Dead Burn have kept him in the spotlight this year. It also gives horror’s short-film community a rare path to funding and distribution.
What the Award Offers
Raimi has partnered with the nonprofit Decentralized Pictures (DCP) to launch the Sam Raimi Horror Award. One winner will receive $25,000 to produce a short horror film. The package also includes mentorship, P&A support, and distribution on DCP’s upcoming streaming platform, DCP+. Applicants are encouraged to explore horror in original and unconventional ways, whether psychological, supernatural, visceral, comedic, or something unexpected.
Who Picks the Winner
The community will review all submitted films, and an all-star panel will choose the winner. The panel includes Raimi, Roman Coppola, Jed Shepherd, Eduardo Sánchez, Leo Matchett, and Emma Raimi. Decentralized Pictures uses a community-driven model supported by the nonprofit American Zoetrope.
Deadlines and Fees
Submissions are open through December 31, and the community review period runs until January 14, 2027. Entry costs $25, which pays for community review compensation. Finalists will be announced shortly after the review period ends. Full eligibility rules are on the Decentralized Pictures awards page.
Where Raimi Fits In
Raimi’s horror credits include the Evil Dead franchise, Darkman, Drag Me to Hell, and the recent survival horror hit Send Help. He said the partnership has been both a professional and personal passion of his. The award follows DCP’s Sofia Coppola Short Film Award and its Kevin Smith Casting Award.
