11th Annual Zombiepalooza 2026

Zombiepalooza is The Cary’s annual Zombie Short Film competition that takes place every October in downtown Cary, NC. Submissions are only open to North Carolina filmmakers and residents. Short films (< 5 min.) must be zombie-themed and family-friendly (no excessive gore, violence or language) as they will be screened to an all-ages audience. They also must include creative use of this year’s theme ‘SPORT’ — the main character(s) must play a sport, any sport, in the film. Filmmakers of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to submit their short film for consideration via FilmFreeway starting Saturday, August 1, 2026. The final deadline to submit is Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Zombiepalooza will take place on the Downtown Cary Park’s Great Lawn and Great Lawn Pavilion. In the event of inclement weather, the festivities will move indoors to The Cary Theater. Remember, costumes are highly encouraged. Bring your own chairs and blankets for a comfortable viewing experience during the performance. Guests can bring their own food into the Park.

Last updated October 2, 2026