Life-Inspired, Disturbing Films at the LUX FILM DAYS

From May 11 to 13, the European Parliament and the European Film Academy will once again screen films nominated for the LUX Audience Prize, the renewed joint film prize of the European Parliament and the European Film Academy, at the Uránia National Film Theater in Budapest. The films, which reflect on important social issues, are free of charge and tickets can be won by completing a short quiz on the Facebook page of the European Parliament Information Office.

The European Audience Film Award (LUX Audience Award) was introduced in 2020 and is presented every year by the European Parliament and the European Film Academy, in partnership with the European Commission and Europa Cinemas.

The award is built on the former LUX Prize, the film prize of the European Parliament as a symbol of the European Parliament’s commitment to culture, and the European Film Academy’s People’s Choice Award.

The award aims to strengthen ties between politics and citizens, by inviting European audiences to become active protagonists and cast their vote for their favorite films.

In keeping with the tradition of the original LUX Prize, this new award and the associated pan-European screening series will spotlight films that are linked by the complex issues of European identity and the sensitive portrayal of current social phenomena affecting Europeans. It builds cultural bridges across Europe by shedding light on films that go to the heart of the European public debate.

The three films, selected by a jury of film professionals, will be subtitled and screened in all 27 EU Member States in 24 languages during the spring months. The Cultural Bridges initiative encourages European cinema-goers to become an active part of the Awards by discussing what they have seen and voting for their favorite film in an online public vote, open until 25 May.

The winning film – decided by a 50/50 split between the public vote and the votes of MEPs – will be announced on June 8 at the European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg.

The three LUX Audience Prize nominees competing for this year's prize, tackle such topical and relevant issues as the tragic consequences of war conflicts, the persecution of homosexuality in the 20th century and the trauma of refugees from uninhabitable regions outside Europe. They are 'Quo vadis, Aida?', a war drama by Jasmila Žbanić from Bosnia; 'Great Freedom', a drama by Sebastian Meise from Austria and the film 'Flee' by Denmark's Jonas Poher Rasmussen.