The Paris International Fantastic Film Festival has come to an end, and the big winner of its Oeil d’Or (Golden Eye) for Best Film has been awarded to the American-Italian film Spring, directed by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead. Unlike most festivals, the audience is the jury in the feature films categories. Benson later took to Twitter to thank the French audience for its support.
The closing ceremony ended with a screening of Kevin Smith’s rather disappointing Tusk, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last September. Justin Long stars as comedian-turned-podcaster targeted by a sadistic killer who wants to transform him into a walrus. Not even Johnny Depp as the alcoholic ex-cop can save this horror of a film.
PIFFF is also known for its selection of short films. Some would be interesting to see some as full-length movies. The shorts competition included two selections: international and French, but the jury was composed of movie professionals, including actress/director/screenwriter Céline Tran, Director/Screenwriter Antoine Blossier, movie trailer editor Kook Ewo, composer Rob and author/illustrator Bastien Vivès.
Rémy Rondeau’s Puzzle won Best French Short as well as the Jury Prize, while British filmmaker Spencer Brown won the Oeil d’Or for Best International Short for The Boy With A Camera For A Face. Lorenzo Recio’s Shadow (France) received the Special Jury Mention. It was also Best Short Film by Cine+ Frisson’s jury. The cable channel, which specializes in horror and thriller flicks, awarded its Special Feature Award to the excellent Franco-Belgian film, Alleluia, directed by Fabrice Du Welz.
There are no award categories for best actor, director or screenwriter. I believe that would require a professional jury and, as the festival is still young, they prefer to concentrate on the films. But who knows what they may have in store for the fifth edition next year.
Until then, I’m hoping the strange noises I’ve been hearing at night from watching too many horror flicks will go away…