The winners of Ravenna Nightmare Film Festival 2025
From October 20 to 26, Ravenna becomes the stage for horror, fantasy, and the darkest imaginings of European cinema. As part of its 23rd edition, Ravenna Nightmare Film Fest hosts the Méliès d’argent competition for the Best European Fantastic Short Film — a thrilling showcase of bold, creative voices in genre cinema.
And the Melies d’argent winner of the Ravenna Nightmare is…
Méliès d’argent Award Winner – Short Films @ Ravenna Nightmare 2025
The winner of the Méliès d’Argent Award for Best European Fantastic Genre Short Film at the Ravenna Nightmare is “De Leider Komt (The Leader Will Come)” by Michiel Geluykens & Michiel Janssens (Belgium, 2024).
On a cold winter’s evening, the residents of the Flemish town of Broekem gather in the local parish hall to celebrate a significant triumph. United under the guidance of local politician Tibo Deleyder, they have successfully blocked the opening of a refugee centre in their community. The hall buzzes with anticipation as Monique, the host of the evening, prepares to serve the traditional Flemish beef stew, carbonnade à la flamande. It promises to be an evening to remember.
Ravenna Nightmare is part of the Méliès International Festivals Federation, an association currently consisting of 33 film festivals, whose mission it is to promote European fantastic cinema around the globe. The Méliès d’argent is awarded to short films for cinematic quality and creativity. The winning short film at Ravenna Nightmare qualifies for the competition for the Méliès d’or.
Don’t forget to watch the MELIES D’ARGENT Special Programs on our Méliès Fantastic Hub!