The 15th edition of the Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival, held online this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, crowns Even Husby Grødahl’s Downs of the Dead as the Méliés Short Film Competition winner.

The Silver Méliés went to "Downs of the Dead" by director Even Husby Grødahl (Norway), that tells a humorous tale of zombies attacking a nursery for the intellectually disabled.

The jury lauded the film: „The jury was impressed by the great and funny performances of this film, its golden dialogues and hysterical lyrics. A punk and freewheeling spirit glows within and brings back to life the early soul of Peter Jackson. We believe that the filmmakers are in for a hell of a bright future if they survive the double-mega-challenge of “Zombies High on Covid.“

The jury consisted of Magnus Paulsson, Miguel Llansó and Helen Lõhmus.

Downs of the Dead

The Silver Méliés will grant the film a chance to compete for the Golden Méliés and become Europe’s best short film. The competition’s winners are announced at the annual ceremony that is usually held in November by the Méliès International Festivals Federation (MIFF), of which HÕFF is a member.