27/03/2014 - The award, in recognition of a contribution in the field of media to the process of European unification, will honour the institution on 22 May

The European Film Academy is set to receive the Charlemagne Medal, whose full French title is "Médaille Charlemagne pour les Médias Européens". The prize, in recognition of the Academy’s contribution to the process of European unification and identity creation in the field of media, will be awarded on 22 May at a ceremony in the German city of Aachen.

“The European Film Academy is a Europe-wide institution that unites filmmakers from nearly all European countries under one roof. It has given European film culture a face and has contributed greatly to the reputation and acceptance of European film productions improving over the last few years – in particular compared to American productions,” said Michael Kayser, chairman of the “Médaille Charlemagne” association, during the announcement of the latest prize.

Since 2000, a European personality or institution has been honoured with the medal. Filmmakers Jean-Jacques Annaud, Fatih Akin and Abdellatif Kechiche head up the list of cinema-related names that have won the award. The European Film Academy, with its important initiatives – such as the European Film Awards – will therefore be joining these other prizewinners this year.