Polish filmmaker Marcin Wrona, who recently premiered his horror film Demon at the Toronto International Film Festival, was found dead Friday night in a hotel room in Poland. He was 42.
Police are currently investigating his death, according to his publicist and family friend Jim Dobson.
Demon made its world premiere as part of the World Cinema competition at TIFF last week. Wrona was preparing for its Polish premiere at the Gdynia Film Festival, after which it was scheduled for Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas, and Spain’s Sitges Film Festival.
Demon brings to life the dybbuk from Jewish folklore — a spirit of a person improperly laid to rest that arises to inhabit a living body. Wrona’s earlier work includes feature films The Christening and My Flesh My Blood.
“We are all deeply shocked and saddened at the news of the sudden death of Marcin Wrona,” the Toronto International Film Festival said in a statement Saturday. “His film Demon truly marked the emergence of a strong new voice on the world cinema stage. Our thoughts go out to his friends and family, especially his wife and producing partner, Olga Szymanska, who was with him at the premiere in Toronto.”
The film’s final screening at the festival is scheduled to take place tonight at 9:15 p.m. at the Scotiabank Theatre. The TIFF statement reads that this opportunity will be used to pay tribute.
