The eighteenth edition of Fantastic Fest is still underway and I’m only doing a few more films among those left at my disposal if possible. In the meantime, the jury went to work this year and has elected its winners for its various categories. Have a read, and click here for my review coverage up to now!
Austin, TX – September 26th, 2023 – Fantastic Fest is pleased to announce this year’s Fantastic Fest Award winners. It has been an outstanding year for features and shorts, making the job of honoring a select crop all the more difficult, but our esteemed team of jurors have done the nearly impossible and chosen the best films of the festival.
“We were graced with wonderful films from around the world this year,” said Annick Mahnert, Director of Programming for Fantastic Fest. “Curating this diverse showcase of cinema for our esteemed jurors was a real privilege. With so many incredible perspectives represented, their job reviewing these fantastic movies was undeniably challenging. Their thoughtful and professional critiques of each work embody the cinematic excellence we love to champion at Fantastic Fest.”
“MAIN COMPETITION” FEATURES
Best Picture: PROPERTY, directed by Daniel Bandeire
Best Director: Robert Morgan – STOPMOTION
Honorable Mention: ANIMALIA, directed by Sofia Alaoui
“NEXT WAVE” FEATURES
Best Picture: SRI ASIH, directed by Upi Avianto
Best Directors: David Kapac and Andrija Mardešić – THE UNCLE
Honorable Mention: UFO SWEDEN, directed by Victor Danell
HORROR FEATURES
Best Picture: INFESTED, directed by Sébastien Vaniček
Best Director: Sébastien Vaniček – INFESTED
SHORTS WITH LEGS
Best Picture: Mop, directed by Joon Goh
Honorable Mention: VHS Tape Replaced, directed by Maha Al-Saati
SHORT FUSE
Best Picture: Reds, directed by Tom Espinoza
Honorable Mention: The Third Ear, directed by Nathan Ginter
FANTASTIC SHORTS
Best Picture: Sweet Juices, directed by Will Suen & Sejon Im
Honorable Mention: Fostering, directed by Andrei Kashpersky
DRAWN AND QUARTERED
Best Picture: Shackle, directed by Ainslie Henderson
Honorable Mention: He Ran Alongside His Comrade, directed by Genís Rigol Alzola
AUDIENCE AWARD
I’LL CRUSH Y’ALL, directed by Kike Narcea
