Today (June 12), REVOLT and Audience Awards announce a call for short film submissions for “Hip Hop Halloween,” a special themed episode of “Short & Fresh,” REVOLT’s monthly anthology series featuring dope short films from rising filmmakers. The “Hip Hop Halloween” episode will debut on the network and REVOLT’s On Demand platform this October.

The announcement arrives at a pivotal time in pop culture, where a wave of groundbreaking black horror content – including Jordan Peele’s Get Out and Us, Octavia Spencer’s leading role in Ma, and Chris Rock’s upcoming reboot of the Saw franchise – has redefined the genre’s relationship with the black community.

“When there are significant cultural moments happening in music, film, or the entertainment industry in general, REVOLT has always been a part of furthering the conversation,” says Jonathyn Pankratz, Senior Director of Multiplatform Programming & Promotional Strategy at REVOLT. “‘Short & Fresh,’ specifically, furthers that conversation by giving a platform to rising filmmakers and highlighting themes relevant to the Hip Hop community. We’re thrilled to partner with Audience Awards to tap into the zeitgeist and spotlight this new wave of black horror content. I can’t wait to see what our audience comes up with.”

“Audience Awards is on a mission to break down barriers and provide exciting opportunities like this one to our diverse filmmaking community,” states Paige Williams, CEO and Founder of Audience Awards. “We are proud to partner with REVOLT to take one more step in democratizing entertainment, so that any deserving filmmaker can have a real shot at a successful filmmaking career.”

REVOLT is encouraging all viewers to submit their dramatic or comedic short films exploring horror, supernatural, suspense, thriller, or sci-fi themes, told through the lens of Hip Hop culture. The winning filmmakers will receive a paid TV distribution deal and will be spotlighted on REVOLT’s social & television platforms.

Submit a film or find out more about the “Hip Hop Halloween” contest here.