A newly acclaimed horror film with Estonian participation has just been released overseas and will be screened here for the first time at the Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival.

"Surprisingly devastating and extremely effective," wrote Cineuropa, one of Europe's leading film publications, after the premiere of Swedish director Mattias J. Skoglund's Home at the prestigious SXSW festival.

"One of the most frightening experiences of this year's festival," added The Hollywood News.

In this Swedish-Estonian-Icelandic psychological horror film, Joel returns to his childhood home after many years to support a mother with dementia who has been placed in a nursing home, but... the worst is yet to come.

Based on the novel by Mats Strandberg and shot in Ojamaa, the film is co-produced by Three Brothers studio, Elina Litvinova as co-producer, Matis Rei as sound director, Jaanus Vahtra as costume designer and Kasper Raidam as lighting designer.

The film is part of the Estonian genre film competition, which also includes Moonika Siimetsa's fantasy comedy Black Hole, Jaak Kilmi's historical thriller The Shadow, Miguel Llansó's science fiction film Infinite Summer and the short films Ether's Deffect (directed by Rasmus Jan Karus), "August's Career" (directed by Johanna Viskar), "Night of the Violet Horrors" (directed by Kadri Nikopensius and Rebeka Põldsam), "Don't Be Proud" (directed by Elis Rumma) and "Bloody Contention" (directed by Rauno Laikjõe), which make up the cassette "Õudne Eesti".

The last film in the programme will be unveiled in early April as a surprise world premiere in Haapsalu.

All films will be presented in Haapsalu by their directors.
The winner of the competition will once again be selected by students of Joint Gymnasium of Läänemaa: Kaspar Plans, Karen Loorens, Kaspar Kants, Marie Linda Nerman, and Kristofer Kaabel. Last year, the competition was won by Sander Maran’s horror comedy Chainsaws Sang.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival will take place from May 1–3.

The festival will open with Lorcan Finnegan’s thriller Surfer. Tickets for the opening ceremony and film, as well as festival passes, are already on sale. The full programme will be announced, and ticket sales will open on April 10.

The festival is presented by the City of Haapsalu and Elisa.

Get your tickets for the opening ceremony and film HERE.