13/11/2023 - The five films will be shown across the Member States in the coming months, plus there will be special screenings in Brussels with the participation of the teams behind the movies

The announcement of the five films shortlisted for the 2024 LUX Audience Award, unveiled on 1 September during the 80th Venice International Film Festival (see the news), marked the beginning of the “Watch, Rate and Win” period for the pan-European award, presented yearly by the European Parliament and the European Film Academy, in partnership with the European Commission and Europa Cinemas. Over the coming months, 20,000 Species of Bees [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Estíbaliz Urresola
film profile] by Estíbaliz Urresola (Spain), Fallen Leaves [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] by Aki Kaurismäki (Finland/Germany), On the Adamant [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Nicolas Philibert
film profile] by Nicolas Philibert (France/Japan), Smoke Sauna Sisterhood [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Anna Hints
film profile] by Anna Hints (Estonia/France/Iceland) and The Teachers’ Lounge [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: İlker Çatak
interview: Leonie Benesch
film profile] by Ilker Çatak (Germany) will be touring the continent with multiple screenings at different festivals and venues.

As usual, the five features have been subtitled in the 24 official EU languages, a strategic effort aimed at enhancing their accessibility and enabling them to reach a wider audience within the EU and beyond, thereby contributing to spreading the values of the award and increasing its overall visibility. Throughout the competition period, the European Parliament works closely with the various liaison offices in the different Member States to organise free screenings of the five finalists across the EU. Notably, some of these screenings will be introduced by local young cinephiles who took part in the 27 Times Cinema project at Venice (see the news), acting as ambassadors for the LUX Audience Award in their respective countries.

One of the main highlights of this period comprises a series of free screenings organised by the European Parliament in Brussels, spanning from mid-November to January 2024. These screenings will take place at Cinéma Galeries, in the heart of the Belgian capital, with active participation from team members who worked on the films. Starting on 13 November (at 6 pm), the opening film will be On the Adamant, the most recent Golden Bear winner by French director Nicolas Philibert, a compelling portrait of a unique care centre for people with mental illnesses located on the banks of the River Seine. The screening will be followed by a Q&A session with the director and the founder of the centre, Linda De Zitter, who will offer audiences a deeper insight into the mission of this facility.

On 6 December (also at 6 pm), Estonian director Anna Hints will introduce the screening of Smoke Sauna Sisterhood at the aforementioned theatre, joining the audience for the subsequent discussion. As the New Year unfolds, it will be the turn of 20,000 Species of Bees, with the presence of Spanish director Estíbaliz Urresola during the screening taking place on 13 January (at 3 pm). The series will culminate in the session dedicated to Fallen Leaves by Finnish master Aki Kaurismäki on 25 January (at 6 pm), with the participation of actors Alma Pöysti and Jussi Vatanen. This exclusive programme will offer audiences a unique chance to interact with the creative minds behind the LUX-nominated films, encouraging them to take part in the rating process.

Until March 2024, viewers have the opportunity to rate each film through a dedicated platform, expressing their opinions and contributing to the selection process used to pick the winning title. Simultaneously, Members of the European Parliament can cast their votes using an internal system. At the end of the process, the film with the highest overall ranking from both groups, with each having a weighting of 50%, will emerge as the winner of this edition. The announcement of the victor will take place during the LUX Audience Award Ceremony at the European Parliament in March, ahead of the European elections of 2024. All of the information about the upcoming screenings, as well as the links to register, can be found on the LUX Audience Award official website.