Panic Fest has announced the final wave of programming for its 14th annual event, completing a lineup that now features more than 50 feature films and over 100 short films. The festival returns to Kansas City April 9–15, 2026, with an extended virtual edition running through April 19.
The newly revealed titles help round out a program approaching 150 feature-length, long-form, and short film selections. Opening night will feature Big Baby from filmmaker Spider One. The evening will also include a special 35mm screening celebrating the 15th anniversary of You’re Next from director Adam Wingard, with actor AJ Bowen expected to attend.
The festival will close with a pair of films presented by Neon: Hokum from director Damien McCarthy and Leviticus from director Adrian Chiarella.
Additional titles in the final wave include the gothic horror film Mārama, the survival thriller Pitfall starring Randy Couture, the island-set horror story The Pitchfork Retreat, the suspense feature Hellcat, and the darkly comic crime story Find Your Friends.
Earlier announcements for the festival included high-profile genre titles such as Obsession, The Furious, and Last Chance Motel starring Danielle Harris and Scout Taylor-Compton.
World premieres scheduled for the event include The Voices of Our Mother, Don’t Sleep Alone, Demonetize, and Ivan. Festivalgoers can also attend a live recording of the podcast A Couple of Old Fashioneds, hosted by filmmakers Joe Lynch and Rebecca Howard, along with the horror game show Better Luck Than Chuck.
Beyond screenings, Panic Fest will feature its retro-themed Rewind Video and Dive Bar, a lounge space designed around 1990s video store nostalgia with board games, retro consoles, and shelves of VHS tapes. For remote attendees, the festival’s virtual platform will allow fans to participate in discussions and screenings through an interactive online environment.
In-Person: April 9 – April 15th 2026
Virtual Fest: April 9 – 19th 2026
Get Your Tickets Here: https://panicfilmfest.
The HorrorBuzz news desk covers the latest in horror film, TV, games, books, haunts, and festivals, delivering daily news on releases, trailers, casting, and events from across the genre. Have news to share? Visit our Submissions page.
