The curtain has fallen on the 32nd edition of the Gérardmer International Fantastic Film Festival, confirming once again its status as a must-see event for fans of the genre. This year's competition was once again intense and rich in audacious proposals, spotlighting emerging and established filmmakers from all over the world. Under the presidency of Vimala Pons, accompanied by a prestigious jury including Vladimir Cauchemar, Jérémy Clapin, Clotilde Hesme, William Lebghil, Caroline Poggi and Jonathan Vinel, the festival rewarded films that pushed back the boundaries of fantasy and horror, exploring a variety of themes with striking visual approaches.
The festival's highest honor, the Grand Prix, supported by the Région Grand Est, went to Chris Nash's In a Violent Nature. This Canadian slasher stood out for its immersive staging and unique atmospheric approach, which cleverly renews the slasher movie genre by adopting a novel point of view. The film deconstructs traditional horror film codes by following a killer into the wilderness, through an almost contemplative camera, transforming each scene into an oppressive tableau. Distributed in France by Mediawan Rights / Insomnia, it will be available exclusively on the Insomnia platform from March 1, 2025. A release eagerly awaited by fans of the genre, who have already hailed the film's originality and radicalism.
The Jury Prize, meanwhile, was awarded jointly to two radically different but equally striking works. On the one hand, Rumors by Guy Maddin, Evan Johnson and Galen Johnson (Germany & Canada), which offers a unique sensory and absurd experience. This experimental, surrealist film follows in Maddin's footsteps, with its splintered narrative, retro aesthetic and biting black humor. A work that defies narrative conventions and prompts viewers to reflect on perception and rumor. Distributed by Potemkine & ED Distribution, it will be released in France on May 7, 2025. On the other hand, Exhuma by Jang Jae-Huyn (South Korea), a horrific film combining Korean folklore and psychological horror. This mystical thriller follows in the tradition of the great successes of Korean cinema, with an oppressive atmosphere and a plot centered on exhumation practices with dire consequences. With its elegant direction and constant tension, Exhuma will be distributed in France by The Jokers Films, with a release date to be announced shortly.
The Prix de la Critique and the Prix du Jury Jeunes de la Région Grand Est were awarded to The Wailing by Pedro Martín Calero (Argentina, Spain, France). This film is a plunge into an anguished, esoteric universe, where horror, mysticism and supernatural investigation mingle. Thanks to its oppressive atmosphere and meticulous direction, The Wailing is one of those psychological horror films that leave a lasting impression on the viewer. Distributed in France by Paname Distribution, it will be released in cinemas on May 7, 2025, a date worth noting for fans of demanding and powerful genre cinema.
The Audience Award, supported by the City of Gérardmer, went to Oddity by Damian McCarthy (Ireland & USA). This psychological thriller captivated audiences with its ability to blend horror and suspense in an intriguing and immersive narrative. This choice once again demonstrates the diversity of Gérardmer audiences' tastes, who know how to reward works that play on primal fears while offering captivating scenarios. Distributed in France by Mediawan Rights / Insomnia, Oddity will be available from February 3, 2025 on the Insomnia platform, enabling a wide audience to discover this festival favorite.
In the short film category, the Grand Prix was awarded to Les Liens du Sang by Hakim Atoui (France & Belgium). This horrific thriller, rooted in a heavy family dynamic, plays on psychological tension and a gradual build-up of horror to captivate its viewers. Thanks to the support of Mediawan, Les Liens du Sang will be broadcast on Insomnia, and will be accompanied by Black Swan Tales for a possible feature film adaptation.
For cinephiles who weren't lucky enough to make it to Gérardmer, a re-run of the competition films will be held at the Cinémathèque française from February 5 to 9, 2025. This event will enable Parisian audiences to discover or rediscover the festival's outstanding works, culminating in an exceptional screening of the Grand Prix, In a Violent Nature, which will take place in the Salle Henri Langlois on February 5 at 8pm. A unique opportunity to plunge into the hypnotic, anguished world of Chris Nash's film before its official release on Insomnia.
This 32nd edition of the Gérardmer Festival was marked by a selection of daring films, exploring a wide range of fantasy and horror genres, from revisited slasher films to esoteric thrillers and experimental surrealism. With an eclectic and ambitious line-up of films, the festival confirms its role as a springboard for emerging talent in genre cinema, and continues to appeal to audiences with an ever-increasing appetite for thrills and discoveries. The 2025 edition will be remembered as a strong vintage, proving once again that fantasy and horror are cinematic territories in constant reinvention, where imagination and audacity continue to push back the frontiers of fright.
(Source : press release)