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Each year, the European Parliament and the European Film Academy, in partnership with the European Commission and Europa Cinemas, present the LUX Audience Award.
The award celebrates European cinema and aims to spark conversation amongst the European public about important societal issues.
A panel selects five films to compete, but the winning film is chosen equally by EU citizens and their elected representatives in the European Parliament.
This year, for the first time, all five nominated films will be subtitled for the deaf and hard of hearing people in all 24 languages.
About the films
Christy is an Irish/UK production about a young boy moving in with his estranged brother. The 94-minute drama covers themes of youth, working class life and child protection, reflecting the lived realities behind EU policies.
Deaf (Sorda) is a Spanish film about a deaf mother confronting the reality of raising a baby in a world not built for her. The drama film touches upon themes of disability, inclusion, gender and parenting.
It Was Just An Accident is an Iranian/French/Luxembourg production that explores themes of transitional justice, torture, authoritarianism and memory. Director Jafar Panahi, who is critical of the Iranian government and has been imprisoned several times, made this film without government permission.
Love me tender is a French film about a woman whose life is turned upside down when her husband takes custody of her son after she tells him that she is having romantic relationships with women. The film touches on themes of LBGTQ+ rights, gender identity and family structures.
Sentimental Value (Affeksjonsverd) is a joint production between Norway, France, Denmark and Germany. Joachim Trier’s Oscar winning 135-minute film follows the relationship between two sisters and their estranged father, navigating themes of family and identity. It stars Stellan Skarsgård, Renate Reinsve and Elle Fanning.
Euronews’ LUX Audience Award 2026 debate will be streaming live on Euronews’ YouTube at 10am CET.
The debate participants include:
- Diarmuid Noyes, actor in “Christy”
- Eva Libertad, director of “Deaf”
- Philippe Martin, producer of “It Was Just an Accident”
- Rachel Khan, actress of “Love Me Tender”
- Maria Ekerhovd, producer of “Sentimental Value”