Sitges, Spain — The prestigious Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival wrapped up its 57th edition on Saturday with the Austrian-German historical horror film “The Devil’s Bath” taking top honors. The film, directed by Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala, stood out in the Official Fantastic Competition, also securing two additional awards, establishing itself as a festival favorite.
“The Devil’s Bath,” which debuted earlier this year at the Berlinale, received the José Luis Guarner Critics’ Award for Best Film and the Carnet Jove Jury Award for Best Feature Film, demonstrating its critical acclaim and popularity among the youth jury. These accolades paint a promising path forward for the film’s journey in the international horror cinema scene.
The festival jury, an eclectic mix of genre experts including Lisa Dreyer of Fantastic Fest, horror author Stephen Thrower, and filmmakers Christophe Gans, Fred Dekker, and Carlota Pereda, also acknowledged “Exhuma” by South Korean director Jang Jae-hyun with the Special Jury Award. “Exhuma,” a supernatural horror-mystery that also premiered at the Berlinale, in its Forum section, garnered attention for its unique approach to the genre.
In the Noves Visions section of the festival, dedicated to experimental and boundary-pushing cinema, Italian-Swiss director Grazia Tricarico won Best Direction for her debut feature, “Body Odyssey.” This section also highlighted the talents of emerging filmmakers aiming to redefine genre boundaries through innovative storytelling and filmmaking techniques.
Further underscoring the festival’s role in promoting diverse filmmaking, the Méliès d’Argent Awards recognized outstanding European fantastic films. Emma Benestan’s “Animale” and Eros V’s “Meat Puppet” received accolades for best feature and short film, respectively, as awarded by the Méliès International Festivals Federation.
Audience preferences were clearly reflected in the multiple People’s Choice Awards, with “Strange Darling” by JT Mollner, an entrant in the Official Fantastic Competition, taking home the award for best film according to festivalgoers. Additionally, “Dead Talents Society” from Taiwanese director John Hanchiang Hsu received dual honors in the Sitges Collection strand and for best Asian film.
Two European short films, “Free the Chickens” and “Chew,” received marks of distinction as well, earning automatic eligibility for the Academy Awards. These films, celebrated for their creativity and innovation, secured their spots in the global film community, offering their creators significant exposure.
The Sitges Film Festival, heralded for its dedication to fantastical and genre cinema, not only serves as a barometer for the latest trends and innovations in horror, thriller, and sci-fi films but also as a vital platform for dialogue and exposure for filmmakers. As this year’s festival comes to a close, the successes and discoveries made promise an exciting future for both the filmmakers honored and the fans who eagerly await next year’s cinematic revelations.