The most curious history repeats itself. Twelve years after finding success in Sitges, the Finnish director surprised audiences again with the twisted Christmas tale Rare Exports. Jalmari Helander delivered another hit with Sisu, a war action thriller that isn’t common cuisine in many film pools. As before, the awards came in abundance this year, this time recognizing a quartet of achievements: best feature film, best male performance for Jorma Tommila, best photography by Kjell Lagerroos, and best music shared by Juri Seppä and Tuomas Wainölä.
The jury, composed of veteran genre voices and industry minds, selected the winning work amid a field noted for its bold storytelling and technical prowess. Among the jurors were a veteran director, a respected writer, a former high-ranking executive from a major studio, an acclaimed actor, and a seasoned programmer. Their reasons to reward the winning story echoed the mood of previous standout competitions, balancing echoes of classic thrillers with fresh, contemporary energy. The discussion highlighted a film that blends tension, atmosphere, and a relentless forward drive that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. The award for best special effects went to the Finnish production Ego, directed by Hanna Bergholm, underscoring the film’s striking visual craftsmanship. An audience favorite, Irati from Paul Urkijo Etayo also earned recognition, underscoring the festival’s commitment to bold storytelling from diverse regions.
South Korea’s Wolf Hunting Project, helmed by Kim Hong-sun, impressed with its blend of action and creature design, earning the special jury prize and a special mention for sound editing, stunt choreography, and overall cinematic craft. The director of Nightsiren was singled out for special recognition, underscoring the film’s distinctive contribution to contemporary fantasy and horror. Tereza Nvotova was honored for her work that captures the texture of modern witch-hunt imagery with a nuanced, elegant approach. The ceremony also paid homage to the actresses Natalia German and Eva Mores for their memorable performances. Nightsiren also garnered the Méliès d’Argent for best picture, signaling broad international appreciation for its storytelling and production values.
Another film that found strong support among the jury was Pearl, a project from a filmmaker with a long and storied history in independent horror. The film earned the director’s prize for West and recognized the collaboration between Mia Goth as co-writer and lead performer. The jury also highlighted the latest works from the director of offbeat, absurd cinema, Quentin Dupieux, noting both Incredible but True and Cigarette Burns as worthy entries in the competition for their inventive humor and audacious ideas. In the Ibero-American slate, Huesera’s maternal terror received a notable prize for Best Ibero-American Film, while Citizen Kane was honored for new direction, signaling a fresh creative energy within a region known for its vibrant horror production. The critical jury also drew attention to Something Dirty, a title from Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead that stood out in the official division’s competition.
Parallel sessions and side categories featured a range of titles that drew crowds and critical admiration alike. Jerk, recognized as Best Feature by the Noves Visions, and La Otra Forma, celebrated as Anima’t’s Best Feature, joined H4Z4RD as Òrbita’s Best Feature, while projects like Jurassic Punk highlighted festival diversity in genre cinema. You Won’t Be Alone, honored with the Carnet Jove Award for Best Feature in the official division, added to the sense of a festival that rewards both genre experimentation and strong storytelling across languages and regions.
Mònica Garcia, who leads the festival’s administration, reflected on record-breaking attendance and a robust financial performance. She noted that the festival operated at noticeable momentum: with audience numbers well above the pre-pandemic baseline and strong box-office returns that exceeded typical levels. The record turnout translated into a noticeable rise in attendance over previous years, and the festival welcomed a larger number of guests than ever before, highlighting the event’s growing appeal and its capacity to draw a diverse international crowd. The atmosphere surrounding the festival frameworks a period of sustained growth and cultural engagement, underscoring Sitges’ role as a leading platform for genre cinema and a hub for filmmakers, distributors, and fans alike.