Welcome to the Sixth-annual Carnival of Darkness

Carnival of Darkness: The Haunted Pamlico Film Festival was founded by independent horror filmmakers for independent sci-fi, horror, and suspense filmmakers and their fans. 

Our festival runs from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, at the historic Turnage Theater, 150 W. Main St., Washington, N.C.

This year, Carnival of Darkness operates in tandem with the Smoke on the Water barbecue festival, which draws thousands of patrons to downtown Washington's busy waterfront and Main Street. 

For the first time ever, Carnival of Darkness will fall under the umbrella of the Haunted Pamlico Halloween Festival, a multi-faceted celebration of our favorite season during Smoke on the Water.

 

Scheduled events within Carnival of Darkness include red-carpet film premieres; screenings of sci-fi, horror, and suspense films from around the world; a special Paranormal Tour highlighting ghost stories of downtown Washington; "Horror Show IV," a variety show presented by Haunted Pamlico performers; a costume contest and candy-giving for fans of all ages; craft vendors at the Smoke on the Water venue; history and folklore presentations in the gallery of the Turnage; costumed characters wandering through downtown Washington; and family friendly activities in the children's play area off Stewart Parkway.  

 

To enter our filmmaking or screenwriting competitions, see the Carnival of Darkness page on FilmFreeway. And break a leg, fright fans.