Spoilers are still sleeping for an extra day.

Let’s put the disclaimer first: This is NOT a real award post. This is just a poor attempt at comedy by playing at this blog having any relevancy whatsoever and give out some recognition amongst the movies that we got to see this year. Here are the official Jury Awards for the 28th Edition of Fantasia. What we do here is pure parody and I don’t have enough budget to send you a physical accolade so please stop emailing me. Thank you, that was a joke as well. Suffice to say that if you can’t take a joke (specially a bad one) you probably should stop reading.

The One-Not-To-Be-Missed: Electrophilia (Los Impactados). It might not be shocking, nor action-y and very subtle in resolution, but I found the execution crisp and the narrative solid. The cinematography also helps. There is no body horror nor dramatic confrontation and it has a happy ending for the most part, so I feel this one is very mainstream – well, except for the physical encounters which means it might be rated R despite them being rather tame. I still like this one for the top award. Runner-up: Vulcanizadora.

Too Close For Comfort but Amazing: Vulcanizadora. This one I’d give the top award as well except that it does have a full shock moment that too many people will focus on. This is one that imitates real life with all its imperfections with two flawed individuals keeping both the long silences and spaces to bring you in. Not everyone will be a fan here, and it has a very real but depressive atmosphere that almost has a nostalgia drop about it all. No runner ups here, this one was unique.

The Time Machination: Penalty Loop. Yes, I know. I always have one with a time travel/loop concept in it and this one has it. Unlike the classical time loop that never explains itself, this one does come up with a plausible explanation. What it does leave up in the air is the existentialist aspect of both characters involved having a human connection despite the murder-revenge-murder premise. Runner-up: Kryptic

The Mind Bender: Infinite Summer. I did find some of the performances lacking, but that could’ve been a decision of the filmmakers. Either way, I’ve never seen the concept of transhumanism portrayed visually, so they get my respect. Runner-up: Penalty Loop, Kryptic.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot: Kryptic. This is the one you can barely explain to other people, which by itself makes it a perfect fit for this one. It also has circular narrative and a free spirit, with quirky characters showing up and random clues that somehow guide the protagonist along. Whether you follow them or not as an audience is up to you. Runner-ups: The Paragon, Penalty Loop.

The Science Faction: The A-Frame. As much as I wish I had I could consider the short films from the Sci-Fi Short Film Showcase 2024, I think this one was a complete story. The performances are very on point, and the main cast is charismatic, on point and have a good chemistry with each other. Even though it’s the only full length feature in the science-fiction genre that I watched this year, they still deserve a mention.

It does seem that my selection was a little shorter than other years. The truth is that I did abide by the rule of throwing my watchlist away and going by whatever film seemed to call to me. This sometimes worked, sometimes left me just short of satisfied. That being said, there was always another film to bring something new to the table. All and all, I want to thank the team at the Fantasia International Film Festival for another great year. Bon cinemá and see you all in 2025.

That will do for now.