The Fantasia International Film Festival 2026 has officially revealed the winners of its landmark 30th edition, celebrating standout achievements in genre filmmaking from around the world. Finnish filmmaker Hanna Bergholm’s Nightborn emerged as the festival’s biggest winner by claiming the prestigious Cheval Noir Award for Best Film, while its lead actor Seidi Haarla also earned the Outstanding Performance award. The annual festival, held in Montreal, once again highlighted horror, fantasy, science fiction, animation, and experimental cinema with a diverse lineup of international productions.
The awards ceremony took place on July 25 at Cinéma du Musée inside the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and was hosted by Fantasia Artistic Director Mitch Davis. Alongside feature film honors, the festival recognized achievements in animation, Canadian filmmaking, debut features, and short films. With the event continuing through August 2, the jury selections offer an early look at the films likely to attract wider international attention over the coming months.
Nightborn leads the Cheval Noir Awards with Best Film victory
Hanna Bergholm’s Nightborn secured Fantasia’s highest honor, winning the Cheval Noir Trophy for Best Film. The psychological thriller impressed the jury with its emotionally layered exploration of motherhood, identity, and psychological horror.
In its official statement, the jury praised the film’s suspense and emotional impact, writing,
“The suspense keeps you glued to the screen every single second, and the emotion in the ending is bittersweet—making you smile yet feel profoundly sad. This film will stay with us for a long time.”
The film also received another major honor as Seidi Haarla won Outstanding Performance for portraying a mother slowly unraveling under intense emotional and physical pressure. The jury highlighted her performance for combining
“dark humor, astonishing physicality, and heart-wrenching body horror,”
making it one of the festival’s most memorable acting achievements.
No Rest for the Wicked and Ferine collect multiple major honors
Another standout title was No Rest for the Wicked, directed by Kasper Kalle, which earned the Best Director award. The jury commended Kalle’s work for crafting a visually rich period drama centered on identity and love, describing his direction as the force that united every creative element of the production.
Lead actor Pilou Asbæk also received Outstanding Performance for his portrayal of a mysterious outsider. The jury noted that his character was brought to life through
“extraordinary emotional precision,”
making his performance one of the strongest of the competition.
Italian thriller Ferine also emerged as one of the festival’s biggest winners by taking home two Cheval Noir Awards. Fabrizio La Palombara won Best Cinematography for his carefully composed visuals inspired by classic Italian horror, while legendary composer Pino Donaggio received the Best Score (Sandro Forte Award). The jury celebrated Donaggio’s return to genre cinema, noting that the music of the 84-year-old composer elevated the film’s emotional intensity.
Screenwriting, editing, and special jury recognitions
The Best Screenplay award went to Edwin, Eka Kurniawan, and Daishi Matsunaga for Sleep No More, which blends Asian folklore, labor rights, family drama, humor, and body horror into an unconventional narrative. The jury praised the screenplay for its originality and ambitious storytelling.
Fantasia also introduced its first-ever Best Editing award, recognizing Satoshi Ueno for Beasts Clutching at Straws. The jury highlighted the editor’s dynamic pacing, nonlinear storytelling, and seamless transitions while maintaining a clear emotional focus.
Several special jury recognitions were also presented. The ensemble cast of Hot Spot received a Special Mention for its collective performance and immersive world-building, while Sleep No More earned another Special Mention for its inventive practical effects created by Jabrik Hellworker, Benedictus A.K., Rizal, and Issei Oda.
Debut films, animation, and Canadian cinema also shine
The New Flesh Award for Best First Feature went to New Zealand science-fiction comedy Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant, directed by THUNDERLIPS. The jury praised its energetic mix of horror and comedy while exploring themes of bodily autonomy with imaginative creature design.
Animation also had a historic moment at Fantasia. Blaise, directed by Jean-Paul Guigue and Dimitri Planchon, received the Satoshi Kon Award for Best Animated Feature, becoming the first French film to win the festival’s top animation honor. The jury applauded the film’s humorous yet empathetic exploration of social anxiety and self-confidence.
In Canadian cinema, Black Zombie, directed by Maya Annik Bedward, won the Northern Excellence Award for Canadian Filmmaking. The documentary traces the evolution of zombie mythology from Haitian spiritual traditions to its transformation into a global horror icon. According to the jury, the film offers a visually striking and thought-provoking examination of culture, religion, and diaspora.
Meanwhile, Norwegian thriller Mancave, directed by Fredrik S. Hana, captured Best Short Film in the International Short Film Competition, adding another highlight to Fantasia’s celebration of emerging filmmakers.
As the Fantasia International Film Festival 2026 continues through August 2, this year’s winners reflect the festival’s ongoing commitment to showcasing innovative genre storytelling from around the world. From psychological horror and animation to experimental science fiction and documentary filmmaking, the jury’s selections underline why Fantasia remains one of the industry’s most influential showcases for visionary cinema.
