This article was originally published in Portuguese
Women’s rights, climate change, colonialism, school bullying and the war in Ukraine are the themes addressed by the three fiction films (including animation) and two documentaries that were nominated for the LUX 2025 Audience Award on Wednesday at the European Parliament.
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The selected films are “Animal” (by Greek director Sofia Exarchou), “Dahomey” (from the French 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 own way, show the rich diversity of the cinematic world”said the First Vice-President of the European Parliament, Sabine Verheyen, a centre-right German MEP.
“These are important conversations that invite us to see the world through different lenses.“, she added, emphasizing the philosophy of this award created in cooperation with the European Film Academy.
More information on the five nominated films:
- “Animal” is a fiction about the invisible side of the tourist entertainment industry through the daily routine of people who work in an all-inclusive resort during the high season.
- “Dahomey” is a documentary about the restitution to the Republic of Benin of 26 royal treasures from the Kingdom of Dahomey, almost 130 years after their theft by French colonial troops.
- “Flow” is an animated film that tells the story of a hero, Cat, who finds refuge on a boat with other animals, in a post-apocalyptic scenario of mystical flooded landscapes.
- “Intercepted” is a documentary about the Russian invasion of Ukraine that uses intercepted telephone conversations between Russian soldiers and their families and friends in Russia, collected by Ukrainian intelligence services.
- “Julie Keeps Quiet” is a drama about a tennis star who decides to keep quiet when his coach is investigated for abuse of position and is suddenly suspended.
Debates and votes
The organizers wish “strengthening the links between politics and citizens” by inviting the European public to attend film screenings, followed by debates, and then to vote on an online platform from September 18 to April 2025.
Votes from the public and a select group of European lawmakers will determine the winner, who will be announced at a ceremony in April 2025 at the European Parliament in Brussels, attended by representatives of the finalist films.
“The Teachers’ Lounge”, by German director Ilker Çatak, winner of the 2024 edition, tells the story of a teacher tasked with discovering which of her students is responsible for a series of thefts.
The prize created in 2020 is now complemented by the Young Talents program, launched this year, “to involve young film professionals in the promotion of European values and the LUX Audience Award project”according to the organizers.
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