Slasher film 'In a Violent Nature' wins Gerardmer festival top prize

The film took the Grand Prix at the 32nd edition of the festival in the northeastern ski resort, whose jury was headed by French actor Vimala Pons.

Nash, 42, who hails from Ontario, drew inspiration for his first feature film from the likes of iconic US directors Gus Van Sant and Terrence Malick.

Fellow Canadian-directed film "Rumors", by Guy Maddin and brothers Evan and Galen Johnson, shared the Jury Prize with "Exhuma", by South Korean director Jang Jae-Huyn.

The Critics' Prize went to "The Wailing", the debut feature by Spanish director Pedro Martin Calero, who got his start making videos for singer-songwriter The Weeknd.

"Oddity", by Irish director Damian McCarthy, claimed the Audience Award, while the Best Short Film Grand Prize went to "Blood Ties", by France's Hakim Atoui.

The Gerardmer festival specialises in films from the fantasy, science fiction and horror genres.