The 36th annual European Film Awards (EFA) commenced on January 14, 2024, in Berlin, showcasing the best in pan-European cinema. This year marks a significant change as the ceremony takes place in mid-January, strategically positioned within the awards season to create excitement ahead of the BAFTAs and Oscars.
This year’s nominees for the prestigious Best Film category include **Joachim Trier**’s acclaimed Norwegian film **Sentimental Value**, **Jafar Panahi**’s **It Was Just an Accident**, which won the Palme d’Or, **Olivier Laxe**’s post-apocalyptic thriller **Sirāt**, **Mascha Schilinski**’s **Sound of Falling**, and **Kaouther Ben Hania**’s poignant Gaza drama **The Voice of Hind Rajab**. All of these films are also in contention for the Academy Awards, highlighting the growing recognition of European cinema on the global stage.
In the director’s category, nominees include **Laxe**, **Panahi**, **Trier**, and **Schilinski**, alongside **Yorgos Lanthimos**, who is nominated for his work on **Bugonia**, featuring **Emma Stone** and **Jessie Plemons**. Notably, Trier’s **Sentimental Value** leads the nominations with five nods, while **Sirāt** follows closely with four nominations for Best Feature, Director, Actor, and Screenplay. **It Was Just an Accident** and **Sound of Falling** have three nominations each.
As part of the awards ceremony, **Liv Ullmann**, the celebrated Norwegian actress and director, received a lifetime achievement honor. Ullmann is renowned for her performances in classic films such as **Cries and Whispers** and **Scenes from a Marriage**, which have left a lasting impact on international cinema.
Additionally, **Alice Rohrwacher**, recognized for her films **La Chimera**, **Futura**, and **Happy as Lazzaro**, was presented with the European Achievement in World Cinema Award.
The event continues to highlight the diverse range of talent in the European film industry. The full list of winners will reflect the artistic vision and cultural narratives that resonate within Europe’s cinematic landscape.
Among the nominees in various categories are:
**Best European Film**:
– **Afternoons of Solitude**
– **It Was Just an Accident**
– **Sentimental Value**
– **Sirāt**
– **Sound of Falling**
**European Documentary**:
– **Afternoons of Solitude**
– **Fiume o Morte!**
– **Riefenstahl**
– **Songs of Slow Burning Earth**
– **With Hasan in Gaza**
**European Animated Feature Film**:
– **Arco**
– **Dog of God**
– **Little Amelie**
– **Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake**
– **Tales From the Magic Garden**
**European Director**:
– **Yorgos Lanthimos** for **Bugonia**
– **Oliver Laxe** for **Sirāt**
– **Jafar Panahi** for **It Was Just an Accident**
– **Mascha Schilinski** for **Sound of Falling**
– **Joachim Trier** for **Sentimental Value**
**European Actor**:
– **Sergi López** for **Sirāt**
– **Mads Mikkelsen** for **The Last Viking**
– **Toni Servillo** for **La Grazia**
– **Stellan Skarsgård** for **Sentimental Value**
– **Idan Weiss** for **Franz**
The European Film Awards not only celebrate cinematic achievements but also aim to foster a sense of community among filmmakers across the continent. As the ceremony unfolds, the world watches closely, anticipating the winners who will shape the narrative of European cinema in the coming year.
