The 24th edition of the Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival (NIFFF) just finished with a bang! 9 days of non-stop film screenings, impassionated talks, hypnotic performances, and imagination-expanding exhibitions. This 2025 edition offered an extensive cinematic overview including 127 works out of 42 countries from all around the world. Through this international selection, the NIFFF provided a better understanding of how genre cinema continually redefines the breadth of its diversity and commitment.
Director Lucile Hadžihalilovic won the H.R. Giger “Narcisse” award for best feature film (CHF 10,000 given by the City of Neuchâtel) with her movie THE ICE TOWER, a modern tale about control and desire starring the stunning Clara Pacini and Marion Cotillard.
The Silver Méliès was awarded to Emilie Blichfeldt for THE UGLY STEPSISTER, a queer, feminist take on the Cinderella tale.
According to our initial estimates, attendance numbers went up year-to-year with 66’000 festivalgoers including 43’000 attendees.
Of special importance this year was the grand opening of the festival’s new open air called HALLES OBSCURA. The brand-new layout was a resounding success, with multiple sold out screenings.
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
H. R. GIGER “NARCISSE” AWARD FOR BEST FEATURE FILM
CHF 10,000 given by the City of Neuchâtel
THE ICE TOWER – Lucile Hadžihalilović (FR/DE/IT)
World Sales: Goodfellas
Honorable mention: HER WILL BE DONE – Julia Kowalski (FR/PL)
World Sales: WTFilms
Awarded by the International Competition Jury:
Emil Ferris, Hélène Frappat, Jean-Baptiste Del Amo, John Hsu, Olivier Theyskens
IMAGING THE FUTURE AWARD FOR BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
CHF 3,000 given by the NIFFF
THE ICE TOWER – Lucile Hadžihalilović (FR/DE/IT)
World Sales: Goodfellas
Awarded by the International Competition Jury:
Emil Ferris, Hélène Frappat, Jean-Baptiste Del Amo, John Hsu, Olivier Theyskens
NIFFF INTERNATIONAL CRITICS AWARD
Honorific
HONEY BUNCH – Madeleine Sims-Fewer, Dusty Mancinelli (CA/UK)
World Sales: XYZ Films
Awarded by the International Critics Jury:
Ben Croll, Camille Regache, Margaux Baralon
YOUTH AWARD
Ba111od watch
U ARE THE UNIVERSE – Pavlo Ostrikov (UA/BE)
World Sales: True Colors Glorious Film Srl
Awarded by the Jury of the Denis-de-Rougemont & Blaise Cendrars Highschools
RTS AUDIENCE AWARD
Broadcasting support
U ARE THE UNIVERSE – Pavlo Ostrikov (UA/BE)
World Sales: True Colors Glorious Films Srl
Awarded by the audience
ASIAN COMPETITION
MÉLIÈS COMPETITION
SILVER MÉLIÈS FOR BEST FANTASTIC EUROPEAN FEATURE FILM
Nomination
THE UGLY STEPSISTER – Emilie Blichfeldt (NO/SE/PL/DK)
Distribution: Ascot Elite Entertainment Gmbh
Awarded by the Méliès Jury:
Diane Launier, Elise Otzenberger, Todd Brown
SILVER MÉLIÈS FOR BEST FANTASTIC EUROPEAN SHORT FILM
Nomination
STOMACH BUG – Matty Crawford (UK)
Producer: Karima Sammout Kanellopoulou
Awarded by the SSA/SUISSIMAGE Jury:
Alessandra Gavin-Müller, Davide Staffiero, Mathieu Avanzi
SHORTS COMPETITION
H. R. GIGER “NARCISSE” AWARD FOR BEST SWISS SHORT FILM
CHF 10,000 given by SSA and SUISSIMAGE
TV ODER DIE RUHESTÖRUNG AN DER WALDBERGSTRASSE – Frederic Siegel (CH)
Distribution: YK Animation Studio
Awarded by the SSA/SUISSIMAGE Jury:
Alessandra Gavin-Müller, Davide Staffiero, Mathieu Avanzi
YOUTH AWARD FOR BEST SHORT FILM
Honorific
THE EGGREGORES’ THEORY – Andrea Gatopoulos (IT)
Distribution: Gargantua Film Distribution
Awarded by the Jury of the Denis-de-Rougemont & Blaise Cendrars Highschools
AUDIENCE AWARD FOR BEST SHORT FILM
Honorific
PLAYING GOD – Matteo Burani (FR/IT)
World Sales: Autour de Minuit
Awarded by the audience
NIFFF 2026
The NIFFF’s 25th edition will take place from July 3rd to July 11th, 2026.