UFOs · Cryptids · Paranormal · True Crime · Horror One Day. The PACC. Downtown Waco.
Embark on the ultimate gathering of UFO researchers, cryptid hunters, paranormal investigators, true crime analysts, and horror enthusiasts. Explore anomalous aerial sightings, track elusive forest legends, decode forensic cold cases, and reveal cosmic mysteries inside Waco's convention halls.
// Time Until the Gathering
127Days
:
00Hours
:
00Mins
:
00Secs
October 10, 2026Event Hours — 2:00 PM–10:30 PM CST
The PACC · 924 Austin AveDowntown Waco, TX 76701
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Venue
Hosted at the PACC — 924 Austin Avenue, Suite 150, Downtown Waco, Texas. Celestial observation decks and skyline observatory included.
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Single Day Event
A singular one-day equinox peak summit, open from 2 PM–10:30 PM. Vendor load-in begins at 1 PM. Panels, exhibits, cryptid hunts, and UFO night watches continue into the evening.
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Tracks
Six specialist tracks covering UFOs & Cryptids, Paranormal, Forensics, True Crime, Interactive Workshops, and the HORRIFY Film Speed Run.
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HORRIFY
13-day horror filmmaking speed run presented by Waco Indie Film Festival × The PACC × Rogue Media Network. Kickoff Sep 25. Screening Oct 10.
// Featured Event
HORRIFY
A Film Speed Run · Sep 25 – Oct 10, 2026
No extensions. No excuses. Just thirteen days of horror-fueled filmmaking. Grand prize: $250 + official screening at The Unknown Gathering.
// October 10, 2026
Event Schedule
△ Events and times are subject to change.
02:00 PM
Event-Wide
Doors Open · Announcements · Spine-Tingling Movies
03:00 PM
Main Stage
First Sideshow / Performer
Back PACC
Guest Speaker / Panel 1
Community Room
“Readers”
04:00 PM
Main Stage
Spine-Tingling Movies Continue
Back PACC
Guest Speaker / Panel 2
Community Room
“Readers”
05:00 PM
Main Stage
Second Sideshow / Performer
Back PACC
Guest Speaker / Panel 3
Community Room
“Readers”
06:00 PM
Main Stage
Spine-Tingling Movies Continue
Back PACC
Guest Speaker / Panel 4
Community Room
“Readers”
07:00 PM
Main Stage
Third Sideshow / Performer
Back PACC
Guest Speaker / Panel 5
Community Room
“Readers”
08:00 PM
Main Stage
Spine-Tingling Movies Continue
Back PACC
Guest Speaker / Panel 6Ends at 8:30 PM
Community Room
“Readers”Ends at 8:30 PM
08:30 PM
Event Operations
Vendors & Readers Wrap-Up / Cleanup
09:00 PM
Main Stage
Flip & Prepare the Awards Area
Back PACC
HORRIFY Screening
10:15–10:30 PM
Main Stage
HORRIFY Awards
// Featured Specialists
Speakers of the Unexplained
TBA
To Be Announced
Specialist · Track 1
Speaker details coming soon. Check back for updates.
TBA
To Be Announced
Specialist · Track 2
Speaker details coming soon. Check back for updates.
TBA
To Be Announced
Specialist · Track 3
Speaker details coming soon. Check back for updates.
TBA
To Be Announced
Specialist · Track 4
Speaker details coming soon. Check back for updates.
Full speaker lineup will be announced in the weeks ahead. Follow us for updates.
Want to join the gathering?
Vendor and speaker applications are now open. Apply online or print a paper copy.
General admission to The Unknown Gathering, the exhibit hall, and the full daytime program.
General Admission
Access to the Exhibit Hall
Admission to all talks and presentations*
*Not including the HORRIFY screening.
VIP Pass
$55
Everything in the Regular Pass, plus admission to the HORRIFY premiere screening and awards.
General Admission
Access to the Exhibit Hall
Admission to all talks and presentations
HORRIFY screening admission
HORRIFY Screening Ticket
$20
Admission to the HORRIFY Film Speed Run premiere screening and awards only.
HORRIFY premiere screening
Live awards presentation
Evening admission only
Checkout runs right here, secured by PayPal: pay with PayPal, Venmo, Pay Later, or any debit/credit card. No PayPal account needed. Souls still not accepted.
Tubular knit · No side seams · Ribbed crew neck · DTG print
Care
Cold machine wash · Low heat dry · Do not bleach
Shipping
Ships from Hialeah, FL · Returns accepted 30 days
Presented by Waco Independent Film Festival × The PACC × Rogue Media Network
HORRIFY
A Film Speed Run
No Extensions. No Excuses. Just Thirteen Days of Horror-Fueled Filmmaking.
--Days
:
--Hours
:
--Mins
:
--Secs
SEP 25Kickoff
OCT 8Films Due
OCT 10Screening
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Safety Notice
All participants are responsible for practicing safe filmmaking procedures at all times. Participation is entirely at your own risk. The Waco Independent Film Festival, The PACC, and Rogue Media Network assume no responsibility for injuries, accidents, property damage, legal disputes, or other incidents that occur during production.
// Overview
The Challenge
SEP
25, 2026
Kickoff Mixer
The PACC — 924 Austin Avenue, Suite 150, Waco, TX 76701
Official launch. Rules, deadlines & submission instructions distributed. Networking with filmmakers, cast, crew, and horror fans. The thirteen-day countdown begins immediately after.
OCT
8, 2026 — 11:59 PM CST
Film Submission Deadline
Hard Deadline — No Extensions
All films must be submitted by this hard deadline. Late submissions may be screened at organizer discretion but will not be eligible for awards.
OCT
10, 2026
Premiere Screening & Awards
The Unknown Gathering — The PACC, Waco, TX
Selected films screened before a live audience as part of The Unknown Gathering convention. Awards presented by all three presenting organizations.
// Competition Tracks
Choose Your Path
01
Horrify a Classic
Take an existing movie and transform it into a horror film. The film must clearly reference or parody the original source while presenting a substantially new horror interpretation.
Titanic → zombie survival story
Caddyshack → slasher film
The Wizard of Oz → psychological horror
02
Horrify an Urban Legend
Create a completely original urban legend centered around a real Texas city, town, landmark, or location. Must be presented as found footage, recovered footage, or shockumentary style.
The Platypus of Plata
A haunted Texas water tower
Big Tex as a supernatural entity
A forgotten roadside attraction
// Grand Prize
The Reward
Grand Prize
$250
Cash Prize
Official Screening at The Unknown Gathering
Recognition from all three presenting organizations
Entry Fee
$50
Required per film submission
Supports venue costs & event operations
Non-refundable per standard policy
Entry fees support venue costs, event operations, screening expenses, awards, marketing, and filmmaker programming. Entry fees are non-refundable. If the event is canceled due to unforeseen circumstances, organizers may issue refunds or credits at their discretion.
// Competition Rules
The Law
⏱
10-Minute Limit
Films must be no longer than 10 minutes including credits. No exceptions.
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Made During Competition
Films must be substantially created during the official thirteen-day competition window beginning after the Kickoff Mixer.
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Format: MP4 / H.264
MP4 preferred, H.264 encoded, 1080p resolution recommended. Files that cannot be screened may be disqualified.
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Required Paperwork
Talent & crew release forms, location agreements, music releases, and applicable stock footage licenses must be obtained by the filmmaker.
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Content Restrictions
No unlicensed copyrighted music or footage, unauthorized trademarks, pornographic content, real illegal activity, or material violating applicable law.
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Judging Criteria
Creativity, storytelling, horror elements, originality, technical execution, and use of competition theme. All judging decisions are final.
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Screening Rights
By submitting, participants grant organizers permission to screen the film for competition-related events. Filmmakers retain full ownership of their work.
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Your Own Resources
Filmmakers supply all equipment, cast, crew, locations, props, costumes, post-production resources, and release forms.
// Enter Your Film
Register
Register your terrifying masterpiece for a chance to win $250 and an official screening at The Unknown Gathering. Registration is Step 1 — the $50 entry fee is paid right after you submit, and your spot isn't confirmed until it clears.
Registration Received
Your film is in the book. One last ritual: pay your $50 entry fee to lock in your submission. Your spot isn't confirmed until the fee clears.
Pay right here with PayPal, Venmo, Pay Later, or any debit/credit card. No PayPal account needed. Questions? Email hello@roguemedianetwork.com
