The NYC Horror Film Festival is an international film festival founded in 2001 by Michael J. Hein, dedicated to screening films within the horror genre. Held annually in New York City, it is recognized as the longest-running horror film festival on the East Coast and in New York City. The festival typically takes place for a week in December, featuring screenings of both independent and classic horror films, Q&A sessions with filmmakers and actors, workshops, and competitions. It presents various awards, including those for best feature film, shorts, cinematography, acting, and screenplay, and also bestows Lifetime Achievement Awards to notable figures in horror filmmaking.