The 23rd edition of the Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival (NIFFF) came to an end on Saturday evening after an emotional closing ceremony. Once again, 60,000 festivalgoers chose to explore the many dimensions of genre cinema in the presence of 120 guests. The International Jury granted the prestigious H.R. Giger “Narcisse” Award for best feature film (CHF 10,000 given by the City of Neuchâtel) to HANDLING THE UNDEAD, the first fiction feature film from Thea Hvistendahl, as part of a prize list that includes very engaged movies. An honorable mention was awarded to Tilman Singer’s CUCKOO, while Jane Schoenbrun’s I SAW THE TV GLOW won the Imaging The Future Award (CHF 3,000 given by Microcity) for best production design.
“For carefully crafting a meditation on grief and for tackling a popular genre in a subtle and original way, the Narcisse Award for Best Picture goes to HANDLING THE UNDEAD ” said the International Jury during the closing ceremony, about Thea Hvistendahl’s first feature film.
REMARKABLE ATTENDANCE NUMBERS
With the Théâtre du Passage, the Cinepel cinemas, and the Open Air on Place des Halles, the NIFFF 2024 offered 124 screenings amounting to 35,000 tickets sold – slightly more than last year’s record numbers. A testament to our audience’s loyalty and enthusiasm for a genre that is ever evolving. It cements the role of the NIFFF as a leading event on the Swiss film scene. The NIFFF EXTENDED conferences were also extremely successful, with more attendees than ever before, while La Villa put video game and immersive installations front and center. Festivalgoers were also able to enjoy the festive atmosphere at the Jardin anglais.
2024 PRIZE LIST
Two films directed by women from the official selection won awards: HANDLING THE UNDEAD from Thea Hvistendahl, and ENNENNUM from Shalini Ushadevi. Both offer singular perspectives on genre cinema and echo the program’s geographical, thematical, and artistic diversity. The winning short films were directed by rising filmmakers (Eros V, MEAT PUPPET), more established directors (Kantarama Gahigiri, TERRA MATER), or multidisciplinary artists (such as filmmaker and plastic artist Ali Cherri, THE WATCHMAN).
SOON IN THEATERS
In the coming weeks, the audience will be able to (re)discover some of the gems from our program in theaters, including the H.R. Giger “Narcisse” Award winner for best feature film. Upcoming films that are not to be missed include:
- HANDLING THE UNDEAD – Thea Hvistendahl, NO/SE/GR, 2024 (Filmcoopi Zurich AG)
- CUCKOO – Tilman Singer, DE/US, 2024 (Praesens-Film AG)
- LOVE LIES BLEEDING – Rose Glass, UK/US, 2024 (Ascot Elite Entertainment GMBH, Switzerland)
- IMMACULATE – Michael Mohan, US/IT, 2024 (Ascot Elite Entertainment GMBH, Switzerland)
- MAXXXINE – Ti West, US/UK, 2024 (Universal Pictures)
- MISÉRICORDE – Alain Guiraudie, FR/ES/PT, 2024 (Praesens-Film AG)
- EAT THE NIGHT – Caroline Poggi, Jonathan Vinel, FR, 2024 (Sister Distribution)
- LES PISTOLETS EN PLASTIQUE – Jean-Christophe Meurisse, FR, 2024 (Xenix Filmdistribution GmbH)
- L’EMPIRE – Bruno Dumont, FR, 2024 (Sister Distribution)
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
H. R. GIGER “NARCISSE” AWARD FOR BEST FEATURE FILM
CHF 10,000 given by the City of Neuchâtel
HANDLING THE UNDEAD – Thea Hvistendahl (NO/SE/GR)
Distributor: Filmcoopi Zurich AG
Honorable mention: CUCKOO – Tilman Singer (DE/US)
Local Distributor: Praesens-film Ag
Awarded by the International Jury:
Saul Pandelakis, Ishan Shukla, Annick Mahnert, João Pedro Rodrigues, Kourtney Roy
IMAGING THE FUTURE AWARD FOR BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
CHF 3,000 given by Microcity
I SAW THE TV GLOW – Jane Schoenbrun (US)
Local distributor: Filmbankmedia Ltd
Awarded by the International Jury:
Saul Pandelakis, Ishan Shukla, Annick Mahnert, João Pedro Rodrigues, Kourtney Roy
NIFFF INTERNATIONAL CRITICS AWARD
Honorary
ENNENNUM – Shalini Ushadevi (IN)
World Sales: Shalini Ushadevi
Awarded by the International Critics Jury:
Nora Bouazzouni, Léon Cattan, Ard Vijn
YOUTH AWARD
Ba111od watch
ETERNAL – Ulaa Salim (NO/IS/DK)
Local distributor: Plaion Pictures
Awarded by the Lycée Denis-de-Rougemont & Blaise Cendrars High school jury
RTS AUDIENCE AWARD
Broadcasting support
ODDITY – Damian Mc Carthy (IE)
World Sales: Blue Finch Film Releasing
Awarded by the audience
ASIAN COMPETITION
AUDIENCE AWARD FOR BEST ASIAN FILM
Ba111od watch
TWILIGHT OF THE WARRIORS: WALLED IN – Soi Cheang (HK/CN)
Local distributor: Plaion Pictures
Awarded by the audience
MÉLIÈS COMPETITION
SILVER MÉLIÈS FOR BEST FANTASTIC EUROPEAN FEATURE FILM
Nomination
HANDLING THE UNDEAD – Thea Hvistendahl (NO/SE/GR)
Distributor: Filmcoopi Zurich AG
Awarded by the Méliès Jury:
Anna Bogutskaya, Olga Lamontanara, Vincent Paul-Boncour
SILVER MÉLIÈS FOR BEST FANTASTIC EUROPEAN SHORT FILM
Nomination
THE WATCHMAN – Ali Cherri (IT/FR)
World Sales: Kinoelektron
Awarded by the SSA/SUISSIMAGE Jury:
Niccolò Castelli, Anne Delseth, Paolo Moretti
SHORTS COMPETITION
H. R. GIGER “NARCISSE” AWARD FOR BEST SWISS SHORT FILM
CHF 10,000 given by SSA and SUISSIMAGE
TERRA MATER – Kantarama Gahigiri (CH/RW)
World Sales: SUDU Connexion
Awarded by the SSA/SUISSIMAGE jury:
Niccolò Castelli, Anne Delseth, Paolo Moretti
YOUTH AWARD FOR BEST SHORT FILM
Honorary
MEAT PUPPET – Eros V (UK)
World Sales: Puppet Master
Awarded by the Lycée Denis-de-Rougemont & Blaise Cendrars High school jury
AUDIENCE AWARD FOR BEST SHORT FILM
Honorary
MEAT PUPPET – Eros V (UK)
World Sales: Puppet Master
Awarded by the audience
NIFFF 2025
The NIFFF’s 24th edition will take place from July 4th to July 12th, 2025.