Nightborn and No Rest for the Wicked Take Top Honors at the 30th Fantasia Film Festival.

      During the 30th annual Fantasia Film Festival, Hanna Bergholm's *Nightborn* earned the festival's highest accolade, the Cheval Noir Trophy for Best Film, while Kasper Kalle's *No Rest for the Wicked* secured the Cheval Noir Award for Best Director. Both films also received Cheval Noir awards for their lead performers, Seidi Haarla and Pilou Asbæk.

      Andrea Corsini's debut thriller, *Ferine*, garnered two Cheval Noirs: one for Fabrizio La Palombara's cinematography and another for Pino Donaggio's exquisite score.

      The awards ceremony, held on Saturday evening at Cinéma du Musée within the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, was hosted by Mitch Davis, Fantasia's Artistic Director and Director of International Programming. The festival, recognized among our "50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee," presented these honors at a gathering attended by film enthusiasts.

      The festival's New Flesh Award for Best First Feature was awarded to *Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant*, a sci-fi/comedy from New Zealand directed by the duo THUNDERLIPS. Meanwhile, Fredrik S. Hana's 23-minute Norwegian thriller, *Mancave*, was recognized as Best Short Film.

      The Satoshi Kon Award for Best Animated Feature was awarded to *Blaise*, directed by Jean-Paul Guigue and Dimitri Planchon, marking the first time a French film received this honor in the festival's 30-year history. The Northern Excellence Award for Canadian Filmmaking was presented to *Black Zombie*, a documentary by Maya Annik Bedward that explores the cultural transformation of zombies from Haitian spiritual traditions to horror film iconography.

      The 2026 Fantasia International Film Festival commenced with the Canadian Premiere of Nicolas Winding Refn's *Her Private Hell* and concluded with the World Premiere of *Freaks Part II*, directed by Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein (known for *Final Destination Bloodlines*).

      Below is the complete list of awards from Fantasia 2026, along with jurors and their comments, provided by Fantasia.

      **Fantasia 2026 Awards**

      **2026 Cheval Noir Awards**

      **Best Film**

      *Nightborn* (Finland/Lithuania/France/UK), directed by Hanna Bergholm

      "‘It saps my body, it wipes out my career.’ When the anticipated arrival of a child transforms into the most menacing aspect of motherhood, the mother cannot bring herself to accept this child into her life. To her, the child is not a ‘him,’ but an ‘it.’ This psychological thriller delves into a woman's existential collapse, where all around her may either be reality or mere delusion. As she forsakes everything to enter the ‘child’s’ realm, we finally discover this “most lovable” child. The suspense captivates viewers throughout, and the poignant ending elicits both smiles and deep sadness. This film will linger in our memories for some time."

      **Best Director**

      Kasper Kalle, *No Rest for the Wicked* (Denmark/Faroe Islands/Iceland)

      "Like a ship's captain, the director is the creative force that integrates the crew, blending all elements of artistic expression and emotional storytelling on screen. One film succeeded remarkably in this regard, resonating deeply with audiences and the jury alike. For his adept direction of a beautifully dark period film revealing self-discovery through a love story, the jury honors Kasper Kalle with Best Director."

      **Best Screenplay**

      Edwin, Eka Kurniawan, and Daishi Matsunaga, *Sleep No More* (Japan/Germany/Singapore/Indonesia), directed by Edwin

      "For presenting a truly unique storytelling perspective that intertwines Asian folklore, humor, labor rights, and extreme body horror within a tale of family reunion, the jury grants the Best Screenplay Award to Edwin, Eka Kurniawan, and Daishi Matsunaga."

      **Best Cinematography**

      Fabrizio La Palombara, *Ferine* (Italy), directed by Andrea Corsini

      "For its exceptional technical and artistic proficiency, utilizing the anamorphic format, diverse lighting, and meticulous camera composition that beautifully mirrors the narrative alongside its striking brutalist production design and radical character arcs. By paying tribute to the greats of Italian horror while reinventing itself within the modern genre, the jury awards Fabrizio La Palombara, CCS, the Cheval Noir for Best Cinematography."

      **Best Editing**

      Soichi Ueno, *Beasts Clutching at Straws* (Japan), directed by Hideo Jojo

      "We are privileged to be the first Fantasia jury to present an award for best film editing. My former colleague and co-editor Orson Welles said editing is the final destination on the journey from a filmmaker's vision to the audience. The editor brings that