The Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival (HÕFF) has concluded its 21st outing on a high note.
Setting a new benchmark for attendance, the festival reached a total of 5,936 visits, slightly surpassing last year’s figures and confirming the event’s status as a cornerstone of the Baltic genre scene.
“It was worth it,” said festival director Helmut Jänes, who quite literally sacrificed for the event—injuring his leg while representing the festival at the Walpurgis Night run, after which it was put in a cast. He expressed heartfelt thanks to audiences who continue to trust the festival’s programming.
The festival screened 35 feature films from 25 countries, alongside a selection of short film programmes. In the festival’s primary competition for the Méliès d’Argent for Best European Fantastic Short Film, the top prize went to Spanish filmmakers Santi Capuz and Diego Jiménez for their black crime comedy I Owe You One.
"It kept the audience engaged from the beginning to the very end. After seeing this film, you’ll think twice about to whom you promise to return a favour," stated the jury, comprising director Elis Rumma, film distributor Erkki Joasoon, journalist Kaire Reiljan and Latvian critic Kristīne Simsone.
The win serves as a precursor to the final round of the Méliès d’Or competition.
Photo: I Owe You One (Spain, 2025)
A Special Mention in the Méliès competition was awarded to Katariina Aule’s historical fantasy Breadsong (Estonia, 2025) “for its unique approach to historical cinema."
The Navigator Pirx Award for Best Sci-Fi Film went to the Swedish production Egghead Republic, directed by Pella Kågerman and Hugo Lilja. “The film surprised us; it was well thought out, layered, and filled with crazy fantasy in the best sense,” stated the jury.
The award for the Best Estonian Genre Film went to Anna Veisman's Eyes of the Forest. "A film that is both suspenseful and thought-provoking," the jury commented. A special mention was given to Mart Sander's Tallinn in Flames, notable for its use of AI in bringing alive a chapter in Estonian history.
Photo: Incomplete Chairs (Japan, 2025)
The Audience Award was claimed by Japanese director Kenichi Ugana’s horror film Incomplete Chairs. Winners were determined through a system of shared emotional responses—scary, sad, disgusting and enjoyable—with Incomplete Chairs scoring highest responses overall.
Audiences named Natalie Erika James' Saccharine the scariest film, the Estonian dubbing of Lone Wolf McQuade the most enjoyable, short film Kill Ada the saddest, and Incomplete Chairs the most disgusting.
The festival’s opening film, Hanna Bergholm's Nightborn drew the largest audience, and a total of 11 festival screenings were sold out.
The Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival took place from 30 April to 2 May.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS:
Short Film Méliès d'Argent
Jury: Elis Rumma, Erkki Joasoon, Kaire Reiljan, Kristīne Simsone
Navigator Pirx Award for Best Sci-Fi Film
Jury: Veiko Belials, Ene Kallas, Jüri Kallas, Kalver Tamm
Best Estonian Genre Film
Haapsalu Youth Jury: Oskar Kariste, Renate Karm, Patrik Rainer Kaljula, Liisa Väli, Hardi Vinkelberg
HÕFF Audience Award
HÕFF Lifetime Achievement Award