Name: EFAs 2026: Why the European Film Awards matter
Uploaded: 2026-01-14T15:50:42.618Z
Duration: 2 min 27 s
Description: With a new date for the awards ceremony, the European Film Awards are sending a message: they are relevant and European productions deserve more attention in international awards conversation.

With a new date for the awards ceremony, the European Film Awards are sending a message: they are relevant and European productions deserve more attention in international awards conversation.

The 2026 European Film Awards, regarded as Europe's equivalent to the Oscars, will be held in Berlin after moving from December to January to better align with the global awards season. Fifteen films are competing for the top honor, with Joachim Trier's 'Sentimental Value' emerging as a frontrunner following its Cannes premiere and critical acclaim.

Other notable contenders include Olivia Lax's 'Sirat' and Jafar Panahi's 'It Was Just an Accident,' the latter having won the Palme d'Or at Cannes. The ceremony will also honor Norwegian actress Liv Ullmann with a Lifetime Achievement Award and Italian director Alice Rohrwacher for Achievement in World Cinema.

EFAs 2026: Why the European Film Awards matter

The European Film Awards, Europe's equivalent to the Oscars, are taking place this Saturday in Berlin. However, this year there's been a major change. The European Film Academy have moved the awards from December to January in order to better position the EFAs as part of the global conversation of awards season, which is already in full swing in the US. This year, 15 films are competing for the main prize, the best European film, and coming into the ceremony, Joachim Trier's moving familial drama, Sentimental Value, seems to be the favourite. Starring Renate Rensve and Stellan Skarsgård, the film wowed critics in Cannes where it premiered last year and had a prominent spot on Euronews Culture's Best Films of 2025. It also represents one of Europe's biggest chances at the Oscars in March. Sentimental Value's main competition this year will come from two of our favourite films of 2025. Olivia Lax's post-apocalyptic odyssey, Sirat, which gained four nominations for the EFAs, and Jafar Panahi's It Was Just an Accident. It Was Just an Accident won the Palme d'Or last year in Cannes and is an engrossing thriller about the price of revenge and also a politically charged missile against the repressive Iranian government. Elsewhere this year, Norwegian screen legend Liv Ullmann will be awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award and Italian director Alice Rohrwacher will get the EFAs Achievement in World Cinema Award. Stay tuned to Euronews Culture for live updates of the ceremony.

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