Ancestral Beasts is a Canadian horror film, written and directed by Tim Riedel and released in 2026.Jamie Casemore, "Fantasia Film Festival reveals first wave of 2026 titles". Playback, May 6, 2026. Riedel's full-length directorial debut, the film stars Morgan Holmstrom as Elyse, a Métis woman who returns to her family home after struggling with her mental health, but is forced to battle a supernatural demon to protect her family.Jamie Lang, "‘Little Bird’ Star Darla Contois and ‘The Order’s’ Morgan Holmstrom Join Indigenous Canadian Horror Feature ‘Ancestral Beasts’". Variety, April 9, 2025.
The cast also includes Darla Contois, Asivak Koostachin, Gail Maurice, Jess Salgueiro, Josh Strait, Agnes Tong, Shannon Baker, Victoria Gwendoline, Ray Strachan, Emmanuel Oderemi, Jesse Nobess and Sarah-Lynne Otsuji.
Production The film was inspired in part by Riedel's own upbringing as the son of a mother who was a survivor of the Sixties Scoop, and who was later diagnosed with borderline personality disorder.Daniel Halmarson, "‘Good storytelling is good medicine’: Metis filmmaker bringing lived experience to the silver screen". CTV News Winnipeg, December 29, 2025.
Riedel toured a five-minute short film version to various film markets and festivals in 2025 as proof of concept,Noel Ransome, "10 to Watch 2025: Tim Riedel". Playback, September 16, 2025. prior to shooting the full-length version in the fall. The film was produced by Michif Koonteur, Buffalo Gal and Kistikan Pictures, with Tina Keeper, Phyllis Laing and Edmon Rotea as executive producers.Jeremy Kay, "Mongrel Media boards ‘Ancestral Beasts’ as production begins in Canada". Screen Daily, December 2, 2025.
Distribution The film premiered at the 30th Fantasia International Film Festival in July 2026. It has been acquired for commercial distribution by Mongrel Media.
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