Mumbai: "Where Nightmares Come Alive" is the theme for Universal Studios Hollywood’s first Halloween short film competition, a virtual film festival timed to coincide with the launch of the annual Halloween Horror Nights event that will invade the Entertainment Capital of L.A. for 13 nights this October.

Prospective filmmakers are invited to submit 90 seconds to three minute film shorts on DVD that support the theme, "Where Nightmares Come Alive." Selected films will be judged by a panel of horror industry professionals including director Eli Roth and actor Bill Moseley as well as Universal Studios Hollywood executives.

Criteria will be suspense, relevance to theme and overall "chill" factor. The top 10 shorts will be posted online from 10 – 22 September for public voting. Additional information on rules and regulations is available online at http://www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com/Nightmares. All entries must be received by 3 September.

The winning "Where Nightmares Come Alive" film will be announced on 25th September and the filmmaker(s) will enjoy a screening at Halloween Horror Nights "Eyegore Awards" ceremony in front of celebrities, studio executives and media, tickets to the event and a $1,000.00 cash prize. The "Eyegore Awards" salute actors, directors, writers and musicians for their significant contributions to the horror and sci-fi genre. Past recipients have included Janet Leigh, Roger Corman, Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper, Clive Barker, Patricia Arquette, Jennifer Tilly, Stephen Sommers, Joss Whedon, Karen Black, Corey Feldman and Shawnee Smith.

"Halloween Horror Nights" will continue on consecutive weekends through 1 November.