24/07/2015 - The shortlist of the three movies that will be duking it out for the trophy has been made public

Today, at the Venice Days press conference, the First Vice-President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, and the President of the Committee on Culture and Education, Silvia Costa, announced the three films selected to contend for the 2015 LUX Prize: Mediterranea [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Jonas Carpignano
film profile] by Jonas Carpignano (Italy, United States, Germany, France, Qatar), Mustang [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Deniz Gamze Ergüven
film profile] by Deniz Gamze Ergüven (France, Germany, Turkey, Qatar), and The Lesson [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Kristina Grozeva, Petar Val…
interview: Margita Gosheva
film profile] by Kristina Grozeva and Petar Valchanov (Bulgaria, Greece).

Once again, the three competing films will tour from Venice to all 28 EU member states between October and December. The programme crosses geographical and language barriers to reach audiences across Europe, featuring subtitles in all 24 official EU languages at screenings in dozens of cities and festivals.

The Official Competition this year will consist of three debut features by four very promising directors who have addressed relevant topical issues in Europe while demonstrating exceptional cinematic skill. Carpignano's feature debut assesses the very fragile and topical issue of Mediterranean crossings by immigrants seeking freedom and safety. Meanwhile, Deniz Gamze Ergüven presents a story about the imprisonment of young girls by a society under the thumb of men still very much under the influence of local traditions. Finally, Grozeva andValchanov turn their gaze towards a school environment, looking into how economic adversity can shatter a comfortable existence.

Based on a vote by the Members of the European Parliament, one of these three finalists will, on 25 November, be awarded with the ninth edition of the LUX Prize. The winning film will then be adapted for the visually and hearing-impaired, and it will receive promotional support during its international release.

This year’s LUX Prize takes on particular significance owing to the current debate regarding the Digital Single Market initiative and the impending copyright reform. In its ability to transcend national borders and language differences, the LUX Prize competition stands as a testament to the unity of European cinema.

The previous LUX Film Prize winners have been Ida [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Pawel Pawlikowski
interview: Pawel Pawlikowski
film profile] by Pawel Pawlikowski (2014), The Broken Circle Breakdown [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Felix van Groeningen
interview: Felix Van Groeningen
interview: Felix Van Groeningen
film profile] by Felix van Groeningen (2013), Shun Li and the Poet [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Andrea Segre
interview: Andrea Segre
film profile] by Andrea Segre (2012), The Snows of Kilimanjaro [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Robert Guédiguian
interview: Robert Guédiguian
film profile] by Robert Guédiguian (2011), When We Leave [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Feo Aladag
interview: Feo Aladag
film profile] by Feo Aladag (2010), Welcome [+see also:
film review
trailer
making of
interview: Philippe Lioret
film profile] by Philippe Lioret (2009), The Silence of Lorna [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Arta Dobroshi
interview: Arta Dobroshi
interview: Jean-Pierre et Luc Dardenne
interview: Olivier Bronckart
film profile] by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne(2008), and The Edge of Heaven [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Fatih Akin
interview: Klaus Maeck
film profile] by Fatih Akin (2007).