European Parliament Unveils Finalists for LUX Audience Award 2025: Celebrating Diverse Cinematic Voices and Critical Social Issues

Finalists for the 2025 LUX Audience Award Announced

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The five films that have made it to the final round for the 2025 Lux European Audience Film Award are Animal, Dahomey, Flow, Intercepted, and Julie Keeps Quiet.

On Wednesday, the European Parliament's first vice-president, Sabine Verheyen (EPP, DE), along with Nela Riehl (Greens, EFA, DE), who chairs the Committee on Culture and Education, revealed the five films that made the shortlist. This announcement event was held for the first time in Strasbourg at the European Parliament.

After the announcement, Vice-President Verheyen expressed that European cinema mirrors the societal challenges and aspirations we face. This year's finalists, each uniquely, demonstrate the diverse landscape of the film industry. They provide compelling viewpoints on critical issues like women's rights, climate change, historical events, and the conflict in Ukraine. These films initiate significant dialogues and encourage us to view the world through various perspectives.

Nela Riehl, the chair of the committee, remarked that film serves as a means of communication that goes beyond geographic, financial, and societal barriers. She emphasized that film is accessible to everyone, offering a distinctive way to express emotions, tell stories, and use humor to share universally understood messages. This, she believes, is what makes the LUX Awards captivating, as they reflect the varied experiences of our lives. Riehl expressed her delight that once more, audiences across Europe will have the opportunity to appreciate this remarkable art form.

"Animal," directed by Sofia Exarchou of Greece, delves into the hidden aspects of the tourist entertainment sector by exploring the everyday lives of those employed within it. Set in an all-inclusive island resort during peak season, the entertainment staff face strenuous working hours and persistent demands, all while maintaining a cheerful demeanor.

"Dahomey," a documentary by French filmmaker Mati Diop, chronicles the restitution of 26 royal artifacts from the Kingdom of Dahomey, which were taken by French colonial forces nearly 130 years ago, back to the Republic of Benin. Students at the University of Abomey-Calavi engage in discussions about the appropriate response to this significant return.

"Flow," an animated feature from Latvian director Gints Zilbalodis, follows the journey of a solitary hero named Cat, who finds sanctuary on a boat with other animals in a post-apocalyptic world. Despite their differences, Cat and his new companions must collaborate to navigate through enchanting flooded terrains and face the trials of adapting to a transformed world.

"Intercepted," a documentary by Ukrainian-Canadian director Oksana Karpovych, depicts the devastation brought about by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the resilience of those who strive to rebuild their homeland. The film includes intercepted phone calls between Russian soldiers and their loved ones, captured by Ukrainian intelligence, which expose the brutality and dehumanizing effects of war.

"Julie Keeps Quiet," directed by Belgian filmmaker Leonardo van Dijl, is a drama centered on a prominent tennis player named Julie. Her world revolves around the sport, but when her coach is accused of abuse and subsequently suspended, the club's players are urged to speak out. Julie, however, chooses to remain silent.

Upcoming Actions

The LUX Audience Award is determined collaboratively by EU citizens and Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). Starting from September 18, a platform will be available for rating the nominated films until April 2025. The announcement of the winner will take place at a ceremony in the European Parliament in Brussels in April 2025, with representatives of the finalist films in attendance.

From September 2024 to April 2025, the Parliament, in collaboration with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), will host film screenings and discussions.

Context

Starting in 2020, the LUX Audience Award has been jointly presented by the European Parliament and the European Film Academy, with support from the European Commission and the Europa Cinemas network. This award aims to promote discussion and interaction between the political sphere and the general public using the platform of cinema. The films nominated for this award highlight European principles and bring to light important contemporary social and political topics, including mental health, poverty, climate change, freedom of expression, gender equality, and LGBTIQ+ rights.

Throughout the competition timeframe, the European Parliament hosts complimentary viewings of the five films nominated by a jury of film experts from various EU countries. For the 2024 Award, over 700 screenings of these shortlisted films were arranged, attracting debates with participation from over 70,000 viewers.

The Young Talent Programme, introduced on September 16, 2024, serves as a complement to the Award. It aims to involve young film industry professionals in advocating for European values and supporting the LUX Audience Award initiative.

Contact Details:

Raquel Ramalho Lopes

Hana Raissi

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