The Lux Award, a prestigious film prize presented by the European Parliament, announced the five finalists for its 2024 honor during the Venice Film Festival. These finalists include highly acclaimed films from renowned festivals such as Berlin, Cannes, and Sundance.
One of the finalists is the French documentary “On the Adamant” by Nicolas Philibert, which received the Golden Bear for Best Film at the Berlin Film Festival. The documentary delves into a unique psychiatric treatment center located on a barge anchored on the Seine in Paris. The facility prioritizes the creative needs of its patients, providing them with an outlet for artistic expression.
Another non-fiction feature that made it to the shortlist is “Smoke Sauna Sisterhood” by Estonian director Anna Hints. This film won the directing honor for Hints in the world cinema documentary category at Sundance. “Smoke Sauna Sisterhood” tells the captivating story of a group of women who gather in the safe darkness of a smoke sauna to share their innermost thoughts and secrets. It has also been selected as Estonia’s official entry for the Best International Feature category at the 2024 Oscars.
Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren’s “20,000 Species of Bees,” another title from the Berlin Film Festival, is also a finalist for the Lux Award. This film, which discusses gender dysmorphia through the character of an eight-year-old child named Lucía, won the Silver Bear for Best Performance for Sofía Otero. Aki Kaurismäki’s “Fallen Leaves” is another contender, having received the Jury Prize at Cannes. This Finnish romance film adds to the diverse range of films vying for the Lux Award.
The final film in the shortlist is Ilker Çatak’s “The Teachers’ Lounge.” This German film premiered at the Berlin Film Festival and has been chosen as Germany’s entry for the Best International Feature category at the 2024 Oscars.
The selection of the finalists was made by a panel of film experts from various European countries. The Lux Award was established in 2007 to promote and distribute EU films that exhibit high artistic quality and reflect cultural diversity within Europe and beyond. The films honored by the Lux Award also touch upon the core values of the European Union, including human dignity, equality, non-discrimination, inclusion, tolerance, justice, and solidarity.
Now, European cinema-goers and members of the European Parliament have until March 2024 to cast their votes for the winner. The final result will be determined by a 50-50 split between the European public and Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).
The Lux Award recognizes exceptional films that not only entertain and inspire audiences but also emphasize the importance of cultural diversity and the fundamental values upheld by the European Union. Through this prestigious honor, the European Parliament aims to highlight the power of cinema in promoting understanding and solidarity among different cultures. The Lux Award serves as a platform for European filmmakers to showcase their talent and contribute to the vibrant European film industry.
