A New Chapter of Terror: Announcing the Winners of the Sinister Horror Film Festival

After a spine-chilling season of unforgettable screenings and immersive experiences, the Sinister Horror Film Festival has revealed this year’s standout winners. Each selected film, script, and artistic contribution not only showcased exceptional talent but also challenged our perceptions of fear, imagination, and storytelling.

Earning the top honor in the Feature Film category was Chainsaws Were Singing, directed by Sander Maran (Estonia). Its blend of horror, humor, and unrestrained creativity captured the judges’ attention and set a new bar for future submissions.

For Best Short Film, the award went to Keep Coming Back, directed by Kyle Kouri (United States). This entry proved that limited runtime is no obstacle to delivering a deep impact, offering a sharp, suspenseful narrative that lingered long after the credits rolled.

In the realm of writing, Deadroses, written by Felicia Ann Mead (United States), earned Best Script. Its pages burst with tension, inventive plotting, and a keen understanding of horror’s psychological underpinnings, promising a deeply unsettling experience if brought to the screen.

The Best Music Video recognition was claimed by 12 Chains – Atomis, directed by Douglas Cook (Canada). With striking visuals and bold thematic choices, it amplified the terror through sound and image, demonstrating how horror can thrive across mediums.

For photography, KY Woo’s work was honored, exemplifying how a single image can evoke entire worlds of dread, curiosity, and unease. This award acknowledges the power of a still frame to convey the same emotional intensity as a feature-length film.

These winners represent only a portion of this year’s exceptional talent. Below you’ll find the complete list of honorees, all of whom dared to push the boundaries of horror and expand our understanding of fear. Read on and discover every creator who made the Sinister Horror Film Festival a true haven for cinematic terror.

Category: Feature-Length Horror Films

• Best Horror Film – Sinister Award

Chainsaws Were Singing / Dir. Sander Maran / Estonia

• Best Horror Director – Sinister Vision Award

Sincerely Saul / Dir. Ian Francis Tripp / United States

• Best Actor in a Horror Film – Eerie Performance Award

Sincerely Saul / Ryan Alexander Schafer / United States

• Best Actress in a Horror Film – Macabre Acting Award

Damsel of the Doomed / Sarah Webb / United States

• Best Horror Screenplay – Master of Fear Award

Delicate Arch / Matt Warren / United States

• Best Cinematography in a Horror Film – Spectral Images Award

Crimson Snout / Viet Nam

• Best Horror Film Score – Symphony of Nightmares Award

Chainsaws Were Singing / Estonia

• Best Makeup in a Horror Film – Ghastly Transformations Award

Crimson Snout / Viet Nam

• Best Costume Design in a Horror Film – Sinister Attire Award

Bring On The Damned! / United States

• Best Art Direction in a Horror Film – Haunting Environments Award

Anima / Chweuèrle / France

• Honorable Mention – Feature Film Contest

The Return of the Great God Pan / Dir. Brett Stillo, Prod. Michael Lucas / United States

Category: Short Horror Films

• Best Short Horror Film – Sinister Award

Keep Coming Back / Dir. Kyle Kouri / United States

• Best Short Horror Director – Maestro of Horror Award

The Tunnel / Dir. Brendan Cleaves / United Kingdom

• Best Actor in a Short Horror Film – Intense Performance Award

Ten of Swords / Theo Solomon / United Kingdom

• Best Actress in a Short Horror Film – Impactful Acting Award

Sincopat / Núria Florensa / Spain

• Best Short Horror Screenplay – Minister of Darkness Award

My Very Own Bones / Israel Gomez Resendiz / Mexico

• Best Short Horror Cinematography – Chilling Focus Award

La Croix / Jean Combier / France

• Best Short Horror Film Score – Macabre Chords Award

Debacle / Mexico

• Best Makeup in a Short Horror Film – Eerie Transformations Award

Chickenboy / United States

• Best Costume Design in a Short Horror Film – Sinister Wardrobe Award

Óbito / Fernanda Versolato / Spain

• Best Special Effects in a Short Horror Film – Phantasmagoric Feats Award

Keep Coming Back / United States

• Best Art Direction in a Short Horror Film – Dreadful Décor Award

Wedding Ring / Yunuen Velázquez & Indira Velázquez / Mexico