Dead Northern Film Festival Award Winners 2025

The 2025 Dead Northern Horror Film Festival celebrated a year of boundary-pushing horror cinema, showcasing a remarkable mix of feature films, shorts, international entries, and music videos. From tense psychological thrillers to gory comedies and folkloric nightmares, the festival highlighted the diverse talent emerging in the genre. Audiences were treated to films that tested nerves, challenged perceptions, and redefined what modern horror can achieve. With its carefully curated lineup, Dead Northern 2025 proved that horror remains a fertile ground for inventive storytelling, exceptional performances, and striking visual craft.

Best Feature Film — Home Education

"A slow burn with high-octane horror, Home Education is a masterclass in isolation, control, and familial terror. Lydia Page and Julia Ormond deliver unforgettable performances in a hauntingly atmospheric film that lingers long after the credits roll. Andrea Niada's meticulous direction ensures every scene is loaded with tension, making the audience complicit in the characters' moral dilemmas."

Best Feature Film — He Kills at Night

"A chilling Christmas Eve descent into psychological terror, He Kills at Night traps its characters—and viewers—in a claustrophobic nightmare. With sharp writing and taut direction, it redefines festive horror. The film's clever use of suspense and confined spaces keeps the tension taut, making every scene feel dangerously close to breaking."

Best International Feature Film — Tabula Rasa

"A blisteringly intense thriller, Tabula Rasa is evocative of a fractured psyche, where no one can be trusted, and mental security is sparse. Its labyrinthine narrative and strong performances keep viewers on edge. The film's unsettling atmosphere, coupled with intricate storytelling, creates a narrative that is both thought-provoking and chilling."

Best Short Film — Grandma Is Thirsty

"Darkly comic, horrifyingly inventive, and impeccably acted, Grandma Is Thirsty proves that short cinema can hit harder than features. The performances and effects are flawless, creating a nightmarish yet compelling story. Kris Carr's direction ensures the narrative is as tight as it is terrifying, packing a punch in just a few spine-chilling minutes."

Fresh Meat Award — Marrow

"A psychologically charged horror short, Marrow explores trauma with unflinching intensity. Its thrilling narrative and authentic performances showcase the exceptional talent of emerging filmmakers. Jay T Grimes demonstrates remarkable control over tension, creating a haunting experience that lingers long after the screen goes dark."

Best Cinematography — Bloodbuzz

"Daisy Bata's Bloodbuzz is a visual triumph, blending psychological horror with creature-feature thrills. Every frame heightens tension and fear, creating an unforgettable cinematic experience. The cinematography captures the Suffolk countryside in a way that makes isolation feel tangible, enhancing the horror's creeping dread."

Best Performance — Amy Mason — Poly Baggage

"Amy Mason's portrayal of Polly is raw, gory, and emotionally cathartic. Poly Baggage balances heartache and horror in a truly inventive short, driven by Mason's fearless performance. Emma Ramsay's vision brings a surreal intensity to the story, making Polly's heartbreak and ferocity utterly compelling."

Best Supporting Performance — Phoebe Sparrow — Snare

"Phoebe Sparrow shines in Snare, bringing depth and authenticity to this folkloric horror. Her performance elevates the tension and highlights the film's rich, immersive storytelling. Sam Blakeney-Edwards crafts a world where nature itself feels vengeful, and Sparrow anchors the chaos with terrifying poise."

Best Special Effects — Bath Bomb

"Stylish, lavishly violent, and unapologetically inventive, Bath Bomb wows with its visually striking effects. Colin G Cooper's short is a stunning example of practical horror craft. Its Giallo-inspired aesthetic transforms a domestic space into a vividly nightmarish playground of blood and betrayal."

Bloody Good Death Award — Pimple

"Gross-out, gory, and hilarious, Pimple is four minutes of pure horror fun. Fernando Alle's short is a creative showcase of practical effects and sharp, absurd comedy. The over-the-top gory humour demonstrates Alle's mastery of short-form horror, delivering a punchy, unforgettable mini-epic."

Best Original Score — Scott Ampleford — Next Show in 90 Minutes

"Scott Ampleford's score for Next Show in 90 Minutes is haunting and elegant, perfectly complementing the animated short's desolate, post-apocalyptic world. A subtle yet powerful musical achievement. The orchestral arrangement amplifies the emotional weight of the story, drawing viewers into the protagonist's lonely odyssey."

Best Music Video — Håndgemeng — Medieval Knievel

"Håndgemeng's Medieval Knievel is a rocking, occult-themed spectacle, brilliantly paired with Henrik Østreng Eriksen's inventive direction. Heavy-metal flair meets dark comedy in a wildly entertaining package. Its playful irreverence combined with technical prowess makes it a standout in the realm of music video horror."

The 2025 Dead Northern Horror Film Festival demonstrated the breadth and depth of contemporary horror, blending traditional scares with experimental storytelling and daring visual innovation. From feature films that explore psychological and familial terror to shorts that redefine brevity with impact, the festival reinforced its position as a beacon for genre enthusiasts. Each award-winning entry proved that horror continues to evolve, delivering fresh, inventive narratives and performances that will resonate long after the lights come up.

For full reviews, interviews, and festival coverage, visit the Dead Northern Blog.