"FLOW" wins the LUX Audience Award 2025

The animated film, a unique co-production between Latvia, France, and Belgium, tells the story of a cat and his unlikely companions as they navigate a world transformed by a devastating flood. It’s a moving tale of friendship, resilience, and the impact of climate change - topics that closely align with the European Parliament’s commitment to environmental protection, climate change mitigation and solidarity.

European Parliament Vice-President Sabine Verheyen (EPP, DE) said: “The LUX Audience Award is more than just a prize. It is a testament to the European Parliament’s commitment to democracy, freedom of expression and the role of cinema in reflecting and shaping our societies. For this award, we bring European stories closer to people and, just as importantly, we bring people closer to the work of the European Parliament“.

“Five compelling narratives, five very different and diverse LUX Audience Award nominees are an inspiration to filmmakers, and public alike, to not only celebrate the extraordinary variety of European cinema but to laud its ability to entertain and elevate at the same time. The cinematic art in Europe is a perfect example of how culture can make significant contribution to society and to advocate for compassion and empathy and change in an otherwise divided world”, added Mike Downey, honorary president of the LUX Selection Committee and Chair of the European Film Academy.

This year’s LUX-nominated films stand as powerful testaments to European creativity and storytelling. Among the nominees are Animal by Greek director Sofia Exarchou, Dahomey by French director Mati Diop, Intercepted by Ukrainian director Oksana Karpovych, and Julie Keeps Quiet by Belgian director Leonardo van Dijl. Each film addresses urgent social issues with striking artistry, showcasing some of the finest filmmaking Europe has to offer.

The winning film was selected through a combination of public voting and votes cast by Members of the European Parliament, each accounting for 50 percent of the final decision. This year, the nominated films recorded nearly 33,000 ratings (reviews on a scale going from one to five stars) from European citizens and MEPs.

Press conference and related events
You can watch the press conference with the FLOW crew, Chair of Committee on Culture and Education Nela Riehl and European Film Academy Chairman Mike Downey on the Multimedia Centre .

Further information:

EP Multimedia Centre: free photos, video and audio material (LUX Award 2025).