“Deaf” wins the 2026 LUX Audience Award
Chosen jointly by EU citizens and MEPs, Spanish director Eva Libertad’s film “Deaf” has won the 2026 LUX Audience Award.
The LUX Audience Award shines a light on films that open our eyes to experiences beyond our own. This year's winner, Deaf, does exactly that - with courage, warmth, and rare authenticity.
“Director Eva Libertad gives us an unforgettable window into the life of a deaf woman navigating motherhood in a world not built for her. Led by a stunning performance from deaf actress Miriam Garlo, the film challenges us to listen differently and to build a Europe where no one is left unheard," said European Parliament vice-president Sabine Verheyen.
“I hope that this award will help to focus on the deaf community, and the diversity of people in Europe, and to promote inclusion policies that improve their living conditions. I am also confident that it will contribute to society changing its view of diversity, that it will no longer be seen as a problem and that it will be perceived as human wealth”, said the director Eva Libertad.
The other four shortlisted films were: “Christy”, by Irish director Brendan Canty; “It Was Just an Accident”, by Iranian director Jafar Panahi who won the 2012 Sakharov Prize; “Love Me Tender”, by French director Anna Cazenave Cambet; and “Sentimental Value”, by Norwegian director Joachim Trier.
Read more about the LUX Audience Award nominees
About the winning film
This drama tells the story of Ángela, a deaf woman expecting a child with her hearing partner. Ángela’s fears about motherhood and her ability to communicate and interact with her daughter mount as she confronts the reality of raising a baby in a world not built for her.
The winner was chosen by citizens across Europe, as well as the Members of the European Parliament, who voted for their favourite film on the LUX Audience Award rating platform. Their respective votes counted 50% each to the films’ final scores.
Press point
After the ceremony, at around 19.15, there will be a press point outside room SPAAK 03C050 (in front of the hemicycle), with European Parliament vice-president Sabine Verheyen, a representative of the winning film, European Film Academy chair Ada Solomon, and honorary president of the LUX Audience Award selection committee Mike Downey. The press point will be webstreamed.
LUX Audience Award
Through the LUX Audience Award, a unique pan-European audience film prize, Parliament has been supporting the distribution of European films since 2007, providing subtitles in 24 EU languages for all shortlisted films. This year, for the first time and keeping with Parliament’s commitment to accessibility, shortlisted films have subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.
The European Parliament works with the European Film Academy, the European Commission, and the Europa Cinemas network to reach a wider audience and to continue to strengthen the links between people and politics.
Further information
2026 LUX Audience Award ceremony
Press point with VP Sabine Verheyen and a representative of the winner
LUX Audience Award website
https://lux-award.europarl.europa.eu/en
LUX Audience Award timeline and rating process
https://lux-award.europarl.europa.eu/en/timeline-and-rating-process
LUX Audience Award communication materials
European Parliament Multimedia Centre: Videos and photos on the 2026 LUX Audience Award
https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/topic/lux-audience-award-2026_29404
On Tuesday 7 October, the launch event of the LUX Audience Award 2026 edition took place at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The LUX Audience Award is bringing the best of European cinema to you. Five extraordinary films have been selected, each offering a unique perspective on pressing social issues and creative storytelling. Your voice is crucial in determining the winner: now, it’s your turn to rate them at luxaward.eu!
The nominated films for the 2026 edition are:
Christy
Directed by Brendan Canty
Ireland, United Kingdom | 2025 | 94 min | Drama
English
An Irish/UK production about a young boy moving in with his estranged brother, covering the themes of youth, working class life and child protection. It won the Grand Prix Generation 14plus International Jury at the Berlin International Film Festival.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXrfT0T1pqU
Deaf (Sorda)
Directed by Eva Libertad
Spain | 2025 | 99 min | Drama
Spanish
A Spanish film about a deaf mother confronting the issues of bringing up a child in a world not built for her. It also won Audience Award in Berlin, as well as a number of prizes at the Malaga film festival, including best film.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx_Oha7PqTs
It was just an accident
Directed by Jafar Panahi
Iran (Jafar Panahi Productions), France, Luxembourg | 2025 | 105 min | Drama
Persian
An Iranian /French/Luxembourg production that won the Palme d’Or in Cannes. Set in Iran it explores morality and political repression. Director Jafar Panahi won the Sakharov Prize in 2012. Panahi, who is critical of the Iranian government and has been imprisoned several times, made this film without government permission.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sxcrm1FGO9c
Love me tender
Directed by Anna Cazenave Cambet
France | 2025 | 134 min | Drama
French
A French film about a woman whose life is turned upside down by her husband taking custody of her son after she admits to him that she is having romantic relationships with women.
Sentimental Value (Affeksjonsverdi)
Directed by Joachim Trier
Norway, France, Denmark, Germany, Sweden | 2025 | 135 min | Drama
English, Norwegian, Swedish
A joint Norway, France, Denmark, Germany, Sweden production about the relationship between and estranged father and his daughters. It stars Stellan Skarsgård and Elle Fanning.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk3Z6_a0RVk
Where to watch the nominated films?
The European Parliament organises free screenings in all European Union countries. For the 2026 edition, and for the first time, all five nominated films will be subtitled for the deaf and hard of hearing people in all 24 EU languages, making them more accessible. In addition, you can watch the film(s) by attending a commercial screening in a cinema near you.
Visit luxaward.eu and click on the film(s) of interest for more information about available screening dates and follow us on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates.
Rate the film(s) at luxaward.eu and win exciting prizes, including a trip to the European Parliament to attend the Award Ceremony and meet the film representatives!
Your rating, your voice matters.