Women’s rights, climate change, colonialism, harassment in school, the war in Ukraine are the topics covered by the three fiction (including an animated feature) and two documentary films that were nominated for the LUX Audience Film Award 2025, on Wednesday, at the European Parliament.
Women’s rights, climate change, colonialism, harassment in school, and the war in Ukraine are among the topics tackled by the nominees for the LUX Audience Film Award 2025.
The European Parliament’s major visual arts prize honours three features, including an animated film and two documentaries.
On the shortlist are Animal (by Greek director Sofia Exarchou), Dahomey (by French director Mati Diop), Flow (by Latvian director Gints Zilbalodis), Intercepted (by Ukrainian-Canadian director Oksana Karpovych) and Julie Keeps Quiet (by Belgian director Leonardo van Dijl).
“European cinema reflects the challenges and hopes of our society. This year’s finalists, each in their distinct form, showcase the rich variety of the film world”, said European Parliament first vice-president Sabine Verheyen, a German MEP from the center-right EPP, when presenting the shortlist, during a press conference.
“They pen up important conversations and invite us to see the world through diverse lenses”, she added, pointing out the philosophy of this award created in cooperation with the European Film Academy.
The nominees
- Animal, by Greek director Sofia Exarchou, looks at the unseen side of the tourist entertainment industry through the daily lives routine of the people that work in it. In an all-inclusive island resort during high season, entertainment staff work relentlessly and endure demanding working hours, while showing a brave face.
- Dahomey, by French director Mati Diop, is a documentary about the return of 26 royal treasures of the Kingdom of Dahomey, nearly 130 years after they were stolen by French colonial troops, to the Republic of Benin. Students of the University of Abomey-Calavi debate what attitude to adopt to this homecoming.
- Flow, by Latvian director Gints Zilbalodis, is an animated feature about a hero, Cat, who finds refuge on a boat with other animals, despite his solitary character. Set in a post-apocalyptic setting, Cat and his companions will have to team up despite their differences. Together, they will sail through mystical flooded landscapes and navigate the challenges and dangers of adapting to a new world.
- Intercepted, by Ukrainian-Canadian director Oksana Karpovych, is a documentary about the destruction caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the lives of those who resist and rebuild the country. Intercepted phone conversations between Russian soldiers and their families and friends in Russia, by Ukrainian intelligence services, reveal the cruelty and the dehumanising power of war.
- Julie Keeps Quiet, by Belgian director Leonardo van Dijl, is a drama about a star tennis player, whose life revolves around the game. When her coach falls under investigation for abusing his position and is suddenly suspended, the club’s players are encouraged to speak up. However, Julie decides to keep quiet.
Screenings, debates and votes
The organizers want to “strengthen ties between politics and citizens”, by inviting the European audiences to attend film screenings, followed by debates, and then to cast a vote in an online platform, from 18 September until April 2025.
Votes from the audience and from a selected group of EU’s lawmakers will determine the winner, to be unveiled in a ceremony, in April 2025, in the European Parliament, in Brussels, in the presence of the representatives of the finalist films.
“The Teachers’ Lounge”, by German director Ilker Çatak won the 2024 edition, tells the story of a teacher tasked with finding out which of her students is responsible for a series of thefts.
This award, created in 2020, is now complemented by the Young Talent Programme, launched this year, “to engage young cinema professionals in the promotion of European values and the LUX Audience Film Award project”, according to the organizers.
