Brazilian writer-director Rafael Toledo’s horror western “Shallow Hell” has garnered recognition at the Fantasia Festival’s esteemed Frontières Co-Production Market, where it received the PurpleDOG Official Selection Award and the Outpost MTL Award. The event, which concluded with a closing cocktail on July 25, also saw Montreal writer-director Anouk Whissell’s “Holi Womb” clinching two awards.
Toledo expressed his excitement at the positive response from industry delegates during his meetings at the market, highlighting the universal appeal of the story. This marked his first experience at a genre market, and he described it as an amazing opportunity.
Anouk Whissell’s “Holi Womb” was honored with the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalunya Award, granting the recipient the chance to pitch their project at the prestigious event in October. Additionally, the film received an Outpost MTL Special Mention Award.
Over 300 delegates from 25 countries participated in the market, presenting projects across various strands such as Genre Lab, Short To Features, and Music. The day-long pitching event on the opening day saw a full auditorium, with attendees showing support throughout the sessions.
Frontières executive director Annick Mahnert encouraged delegates to engage fully in the event, leading to a packed schedule of one-on-one meetings and industry seminars. The event concluded on July 26, wrapping up a successful edition of the market.
The Frontières Awards recognized outstanding projects with various prizes. Anouk Whissell’s “Holi Womb” received the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalunya Award, while Rafael Toledo’s “Shallow Hell” secured the PurpleDOG Official Selection Award. Elena Sturk-Lussier’s “After the End” was the recipient of the PurpleDOG Official Genre Film Lab Award.
Furthermore, the Outpost MTL Award was presented to “Shallow Hell,” offering a cash prize and post-production services. Director Miguel Angel Caballero’s “Ballad of Tita and the Machines” and Anouk Whissell’s “Holi Womb” both received Special Mention Awards from Outpost MTL. Talia Shea Levin’s “Make Me A Pizza” was honored with The Film Deck – Shorts to Features Pitch Deck Award.
The awards ceremony was a testament to the talent and creativity showcased at the Frontières Co-Production Market, highlighting the diverse range of projects and the industry’s support for emerging filmmakers.
