Fantastic Fest 2024 Award Winners

Fantastic Fest announced this year’s award winners, showcasing an exceptional selection of fantastic films from around the world. This year has been filled with surprising and wonderful features and shorts, making the task of honoring a select few quite challenging. Nevertheless, our esteemed jurors have achieved the remarkable feat of choosing the festival’s finest entries.

“Today, we celebrate the incredible diversity of talent showcased in this year’s films,” said Annick Mahnert, Director of Programming for Fantastic Fest. “Our jurors faced the formidable challenge of selecting winners from a remarkable array of stories, each representing different cultures and perspectives. Their task was not easy, but it truly reflects what Fantastic Fest is all about: embracing the richness of global cinema and the shared human experiences that unite us all.”

“MAIN COMPETITION” FEATURES

Best Picture: BRING THEM DOWN, directed by Christopher Andrews

Best Director: James Ashcroft – THE RULE OF JENNY PEN

Best Actor: Geoffrey Rush – THE RULE OF JENNY PEN

“NEXT WAVE” FEATURES

Best Picture: SISTER MIDNIGHT, directed by Karan Kandhari

Best Director: Emma Benestan – ANIMALE

Honorable Mention: TOUCHED BY ETERNITY, directed by Mārcis Lācis

HORROR FEATURES

Best Picture: CHAINSAWS WERE SINGING, directed by Sander Maran

Best Director: John Hsu – DEAD TALENT SOCIETY

Honorable Mention: The Ensemble Cast of TRIZOMBIE, directed by Bob Colaers