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It’s spring. And daffodils aren’t the only things coming up. 

Haunted Pamlico is currently seeking entries for the third-annual Carnival of Darkness film festival and the first-ever Fright Photo Contest for amateur photographers.

The submission period for films and photographs began May 1 via the Carnival of Darkness page on FilmFreeway.com for films and email for photography. Film entries may be submitted free through May 7; afterward, entries will cost $7 per film. All photography entries may be submitted for free. The submission period for both events ends Aug. 1.

The third-annual Carnival of Darkness Film Festival is a celebration of sci-fi and horror films from all over the world runs Sept. 23 through Sept. 25 at three locations in Beaufort County and will include the presentation of award certificates to the photographers for the top three photos as selected by a panel of judges. 

Judges for the photography contest are Jack Willard, Ric Carter, Stephen Braddy, Michael Willard, Andy Beacham and Anthony Clark. The photos will be featured on social-media pages and will be recognized onstage as part of the festival. All photos will remain the property of the submitters. By entering the contest, entrants give Haunted Pamlico permission to share their submitted images on social media and/or its website. Organizers will accept photos in the JPEG format. File sizes should be no smaller than 150 DPI.

Carnival of Darkness begins Sept. 23 with a private reception for invited guests at the Turnage Theater. 

On Sept. 24 the festival opens to the public with a live show featuring local singers, dancers and fire spinners at Raised in a Barn Farm in Chocowinity. Also on the program are a food vendor, Halloween crafts, a costume contest, an exhibit of outsider art and more. Admission will cost $5 per person at the gate.

On Sept. 25 the festival moves to a screening location to be announced soon. Costumed actors will greet the patrons and honor visiting filmmakers. Admission to the screenings will cost $10 per person. Advance tickets go on sale July 1 via FilmFreeway.

For more information, visit hauntedpamlico.com or email hauntedpamlico1@gmail.com. Carnival of Darkness is organized by Haunted Pamlico, a Halloween-centered film and entertainment group operating under the umbrella of Alternative Stage, a pending nonprofit based in Washington.