European Film Awards 2026: A Night of Celebration and Activism

The European Film Awards (EFA) made a significant change this year, moving from December to January to better align with the global awards season. While the winners won't directly impact the Oscars, they might still influence voters when they pick their favorites in March.

Key Films and Winners

Several films that won at the EFAs are expected to be major contenders at the Oscars:

• "Bugonia"
• "Sentimental Value"
• "It Was Just an Accident"

Interestingly, "It Was Just an Accident" didn't win any awards at the EFAs, despite being a co-production of Iran, France, and Luxembourg.

Sentimental Value: The Big Winner

"Sentimental Value" was the standout winner of the night, taking home awards for:

• Best Film
• Best Director (Joachim Trier)
• Best Actors (Renate Reinsve and Stellan Skarsgård)
• Best Screenplay (Joachim Trier and Eskil Vogt)

This film is likely to garner significant attention at the Oscars as well.

The European Film Academy and Oscar Overlaps

The European Film Academy is smaller than the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, but there is some overlap between the two groups. This could mean that the EFAs might provide some clues about what might happen at the Oscars.

A Unique Ceremony

The ceremony was unique, with no traditional host. Instead, documentary filmmaker Mark Cousins collaborated with film composer Dascha Dauenhauer and stage director Robert Lehniger to create a show filled with flashbacks to classic European films. The night started with a powerful message from director Jafar Panahi, who used his platform to speak out against the oppression in Iran. He urged filmmakers and artists to use their voices to speak out against injustice.

Special Honors

The night also saw Italian director Alice Rohrwacher receive a special prize for her contributions to world cinema. Norwegian actress Liv Ullmann, a longtime star of Ingmar Bergman’s films, was honored with a lifetime achievement award. She made a humorous remark about the Nobel Peace Prize, referencing a recent event where the prize was gifted to a U.S. president.

Sirāt: Another Big Winner

Oliver Laxe’s "Sirāt" was another big winner, taking home five awards. This Spanish-language film is also Spain’s submission for the Oscars and is on the shortlist in several categories. It’s looking strong against other films released by Neon, including:

• "Sentimental Value"
• "No Other Choice"
• "The Secret Agent"
• "It Was Just an Accident"

Full List of Winners

The full list of winners from the 2026 European Film Awards is impressive, with awards given in categories ranging from best film to best animated feature. The night was a celebration of European cinema, with a mix of established stars and new talent.