The European Film Academy has revealed the nominations for LUX – The European Audience Film Award, presented by the European Parliament and the European Film Academy in partnership with the European Commission and Europa Cinemas.

This announcement of the five nominated films marks the official kick-off of the 2024 LUX Audience Award: The five nominated films will now be subtitled in all 24 EU languages to be accessible to the widest audience possible. As of now the audience together with the Members of the European Parliament can watch and rate the nominees. During this “watch, rate & win” period the nominated films will be screened in theatres all over Europe. The rating will take place online on the LUX Awards’ platform. The winner will be determined by the general public and
the Members of the European Parliament (each holding 50% of the vote) and announced during an award’s ceremony in March 2024.

20 000 Species of Bees, by Spanish director Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren, tells the story of an eight-year-old who is suffering because people keep addressing them in ways that cause discomfort. During a summer in the Basque country, the child confides these worries to relatives and friends. But how can a mother handle her child’s quest for identity when she is herself still dealing with her own ambivalent parental legacy?

In Fallen Leaves by Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki, we meet two lonely souls who are searching for the love of their lives: their chance, poignant meeting on a Helsinki night is hampered by alcoholism on his part, lost contact details, and life in general, which has a knack for placing obstacles in the way of people aspiring to attain happiness.

On the Adamant, by French director Nicolas Philibert, is a documentary film zooming in on a unique day care centre: a floating structure located on the Seine in the heart of Paris. It welcomes adults living with mental disorders, offering them care that grounds them in time and space, and helps them to recover or keep up their spirits. The film invites us to get on board and meet the patients and caregivers who bring the centre to life day to day.

Smoke Sauna Sisterhood by Estonian director Anna Hints follows a group of women that gather in the safe darkness of a smoke sauna to share their innermost thoughts and secrets. Enveloped by a warm, dense heat, they bare all to expel fears and shame trapped in their bodies and regain their strength.

The Teachers' Lounge, directed by Ilker Çatak and produced in Germany, tells a story about Carla, a young high school teacher, distinguished from her colleagues by her idealism. When a series of unsolved thefts sour the atmosphere among the teaching staff, Carla decides to investigate. With the help of a hidden camera and to everyone’s surprise, she exposes the thief but her revelation unleashes forces that slide steadily out of control and presents Carla with an unsolvable dilemma.

It's up to you to determine the winner: watch and rate the nominated films https://lux-award.europarl.europa.eu/lv and win a trip to the LUX award ceremony to meet the directors of the nominated films in person.

'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.