2026 True Challenge
Screening 10 Short Horror Films. All produced by local filmmakers, with local talent, and local film crew.
Come out and see what your peers are up to and make some new friends!
EVENT AGENDA
5:30 CHECK-IN OPENS AT THEATER
6:00 PM SCREENING
8:00 PM AWARDS PRESENTATION
8:50 PM THEATER EVENTS END
9:15 PM NETWORKING PARTY AT HOTEL
11:30 PM AFTER-PARTY AT WINE BAR/BISTRO
(Times approximate, see venue locations below)
Check out the OIF Tampa Fear Challenge Gazette
EVENT VENUES
Theater
AMC West Shore 14 , Tampa, FL
210 Westshore Plaza, Tampa, FL 33609
-Plaza Parking
Networking Party
Gabriella’s Bistro at the
Marriott Renaissance Hotel, Tampa, FL
4200 Jim Walter Blvd, Tampa, FL 33607 (International Plaza)
-Ample Parking
After-Party
Dracula’s Legacy Wine Bar & Bistro, Tampa, FL
Address: 4200 Jim Walter Blvd, Tampa, FL 33607
– Street Parking
Gabriella’s Bistro
OIF Networking Party Menu
Complimentary Light apps will be stationed. Additional items available for purchase at reduced pricing for our guests:
POSTERS
Award Categories
Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Music, Best Director, Best Cinematographer, Best Editor, Best Original Story, Best Sound, Best Set Design, Best Hair/MUA.
Horror
(Films below are listed in screening order)
CLAW
by Jasmin Alexa
RAIN CHECK
Aris Ramos
A Beautiful Day
by Zachary Tuttle
The Gift
by Shane Johnson
Into The Darkness
by Doc Bravo
Mortal Sin
by Milena Maldonado
What Happened?
by Sky Belluomini
Say Cheese
by James Ridgley
The Deadliest Toy Chest
by Alessandra Staffetti
Yes, and… Die
by Danielle Bui
FEAR Challenge Nominees & Winners
(Winners are in bold lettering)
Best Hair/MUA
***Winner*** RAINCHECK — Michael Sexton
Yes, and Die — Rebecca Agrue
CLAW — Kaitlyn Hicks
The Gift — Mia Bjeljac
What Happened? — Connor Hayes
Best Production Design Nominees
RAINCHECK — Danielle Bui
What Happened? — Larraine DeLoach
Mortal Sin — Milena Maldonado
***Winner*** CLAW — Jasmin Alexa
Best Music Nominees
The Deadliest Toy Chest — Anna Lesnick
CLAW — Luis Perdomo
Into The Darkness — Doc Anthony Bravo
***Winner*** The Gift — Peterson Normil
What Happened? — Anna Lesnick
Best Supporting Actor Nominees
***Winner*** What Happened? — Umar Farooq
RAINCHECK — Danny Shidoshi
The Deadliest Toy Chest — Shane A. Johnson
Yes, and Die — Lee Cohen
Into The Darkness — Shawn Thompson
Best Supporting Actress Nominees
Into The Darkness — Katarina Sheffield
What Happened? — Brooklyn Stripling
Mortal Sin — Sarah Zavala
CLAW — Mia Bjeljic
***Winner*** Yes, and Die — Emily Molinaro
The Deadliest Toy Chest — Chanel Lynn
RAINCHECK — Madison Pulica
Best Editor Nominees
CLAW — Mavrick Vo
Yes, and Die — Danielle Bui
RAINCHECK — Tommy Palmieri
***Winner*** The Gift — Jordan Jackson
What Happened? — Brandon Hornsby
Mortal Sin — Milena Maldonado
Best Cinematography Nominees
Yes, and Die — Matthew Thomas
The Gift — Nathaniel Beardsley
***Winner*** RAINCHECK — Aris Ramos
What Happened? — Graham Zielinski
Mortal Sin — Jeffrey Fowler
CLAW — Stefanie Davis
Best Lead Actor Nominees
***Winner*** Mortal Sin — Harrison Beeson
RAINCHECK — David J. Paul
The Gift — Shane Johnson
What Happened? — Loki Miller
Into The Darkness — Doc Anthony Bravo
CLAW — Anthony Caban
Best Lead Actress Nominees
What Happened? — Brittney Anderson
The Gift — Mia Bjeljac
Yes, and Die — Cat Lim
***Winner*** RAINCHECK — Pang Thao
A Beautiful Day — Marjha Lynn
Mortal Sin — Jennifer Coe
SAY CHEESE — Angelica Overstreet
The Deadliest Toy Chest — Madison Pulica
Into The Darkness — Nicola Masciotra
Best Story Nominees
Yes, and Die – Danielle Bui
RAINCHECK – ARIS RAMOS
The Gift – Peterson Normil
***Winner*** Mortal Sin – Jennifer Coe
The Deadliest Toy Chest – Alessandra Staffetti
Into The Darkness – Doc Anthony Bravo
Best Director Nominees
Yes, and Die – Danielle Bui
RAINCHECK – ARIS RAMOS
The Gift – Jordan Jackson
***Winner*** Mortal Sin – Milena Maldonado
CLAW – Jasmin Alexa
Best Sound Nominees
Yes, and Die – Gregory De Jesus
RAINCHECK – DOWNTIME MUSIC MEDIA
***Winner*** The Gift – Peterson Normil
Mortal Sin – Michael F. Lewis
CLAW – Nate Powers
Best Picture Nominees
The Gift
CLAW
Yes, and Die
***Winner*** Mortal Sin
RAINCHECK
Congratulations!
More Information will be added to this page as the Challenge Progresses through its natural stages: Screenwriting (entry stage), Script Selectiosn, Shooting, Screening Event, Awards Event, After-Party Networking Event. There may be a networking event after the script selections are announced so that filmmakers, actors, and crew members can meet directly.
Challenge Details
OIF Challenge Title: TRUE
Genre: Based on a “True” story- ANY sub-genre (ask an admin if unsure your script qualifies)
Scripts Due By: October 5, 2026 – no later than 11:59pm
Films Due By: January 25, 2027 – no later than 11:59pm
Screening & Awards – TBA
Forms for open submissions can be found on the OIF Main Site.
Please do not submit any “True” Challenge scripts prior to September 16.
Deadlines are strict!
Please follow the General Challenge Rules here: https://independentfilmmakers.org/tampa/film-challenge-rules/
This OIF Script-To-Screen Short Film Challenge is to write and produce a short film, with a total run-time of 9 minutes or less.
Your goal is to push the envelope of your imagination and efforts to create something the judges will be wowed by and the audience will remember for some time! Here you can make a name for yourself and step up to the next level of recognition.
Films are judged for originality, story, audio, cinematography, and other technicals. Talent is judged on performance. Once tabulated, the winners in each of the award categories up for grabs are announced at the Awards Ceremony, where the iconic OIF Crystal Awards are presented for up to 13 categories.
OIF produces a celebratory networking event following the screening for members to meet with other collaborative individuals that may help your careers and aspirations grow.
You may post casting calls in our Facebook group. Be sure to use the hashtag #OIFFearChallenge so the moderators can quickly identify your post entry.
NO filming prior to script selections being posted on this page.
Pg-13 no nudity. Look for the participant POLL in the fb group to help you find your cast and crew…and remember…if you need help, it is always easier to find it if you’ve already helped others in this collaborative community. Good luck all!