LUX Audience Award

Why the LUX Audience Award?

'LUX – The European Audience Film Award (short title: LUX Audience Award)', organised by the European Parliament and the European Film Academy, demonstrates the European Parliament’s commitment to culture. The initiative promotes cultural diversity and provides tangible support to European cinema and the arts.

The LUX Audience Award is built on the former LUX Prize, which the European Parliament established in 2007, and on the European Film Academy's People’s Choice Award, which was introduced in 1997. The nominated films raise awareness about current social and political issues, engage audiences in debates about Europe in a way that really speaks to them and reflect the beauty and diversity of European cinema.

The award continues to build cultural bridges across Europe by shedding light on films that cut to the heart of public debate in Europe. The award aims to strengthen ties between politics and the people by inviting European audiences to become active protagonists and rate one or more of the nominated films. The aim is to get audiences engaged in debates about Europe through inspiring European films.

The European Parliament believes that cinema, as a mass cultural medium, is an ideal platform for debate and reflection on Europe and its future. The European Film Academy, which unites more than 4 000 filmmakers across Europe, has been dedicated to promoting European film culture since it was founded in 1988.

How is the winner chosen?

The five films nominated for the LUX Audience Award’s fourth edition were publicly unveiled  during the Venice International Film Festival on 1 September 2023 in presence of Members of European Parliament, audience, filmmakers and film professionals.

The audience and the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs)  are invited to rate the films online. The film that receives the highest overall ranking from the public and the MEPs, with each group being weighted at 50%, will be the winner of the LUX Audience Award. The winner will be announced at the LUX Audience Award Ceremony, which will take place in the European Parliament in March 2024. 

What is the aim of the LUX Audience Award?

The LUX Audience Award aims to become a sign of quality for backing European film productions.

The initiative gives the nominated films more visibility and helps them to cross borders and reach a wider audience. It allows audiences from across the European Union, and beyond, to watch films that may not have otherwise been screened in their countries.

The nominated films are subtitled in the 24 official EU languages and screenings are organised by the European Parliament in all 27 EU Member States during the ‘Watch, Rate and Win’ period, from September 2023 until March 2024.