Earlier this year, a panel of 13 film professionals from across the European Union met in Brussels to select the five films that will be competing for the 2026 LUX Audience Award (see the news), presented annually by the European Parliament and the European Film Academy in partnership with the European Commission and the Europa Cinemas network. The finalists are set to be revealed at a press conference in the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 7 October, where European Parliament First Vice-President Sabine Verheyen and Nela Riehl, chair of the Committee on Culture and Education, will announce the shortlisted titles alongside representatives of the nominated films.

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Later that day, a launch event will bring together European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, Vice-President Verheyen, Committee chair Riehl, Mayor of Strasbourg Jeanne Barseghian and European Film Academy chair Mike Downey, who also served as the honorary president of the selection panel, to mark the official start of the 2026 LUX Audience Award season. From that day on, citizens and Members of the European Parliament will be able to watch and rate the nominated films, with their votes carrying equal weight in deciding the winner.

As in previous years, the films will tour EU cinemas and festivals through organised screenings aimed at reaching the widest possible audience – last year alone, more than 900 screenings of the shortlisted films were held in Europe. LUX-nominated works often delve into pressing social and political issues central to the European public debate, inviting audiences across the continent to join these urgent conversations. For the first time in the award’s history, this year, all shortlisted films will be adapted for hearing-impaired audiences, underscoring the prize’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion.

The launch event will also welcome participants from the second edition of the Young Talent Programme: 27 emerging film enthusiasts and professionals from all over the EU, one from each member state. Serving as ambassadors for the prize in their home countries, they will promote the campaign, encourage voting and amplify the discussions sparked by the nominated films ahead of the announcement of the winning title in April 2026.

The launch event will be livestreamed and can be followed via this link.