2025 Winner: Audience Choice
On Thin Ice (2024) – United States
Directed by Chelsea Komorowski
“On Thin Ice” is a darkly comedic thriller about obsession, control, and the consequences of idolizing someone to dangerous extremes. The story centers around Max , a quiet, socially awkward man in his 30s, who is utterly obsessed with a famous professional hockey player Connor Hamilton. Max watches every game, collects every piece of memorabilia, and spends countless hours fantasizing about a personal connection with his idol.
When Connor is traded away Max concocts a bizarre plan to bring Connor into his life—he kidnaps the hockey star and brings him home to be a part of the family. Max believes that by having Connor all to himself, he can finally prove their “true connection” and maybe even make the athlete see the world through his eyes.
However, things don’t go as planned. Max’s wife, Stella, has no patience for Max’s delusions.
