Deaf: LUX Award-winning film
“The LUX Audience Award shines a light on works that open our eyes to experiences beyond our own. Sorda, this year’s winner, does exactly that, with courage, warmth, and remarkable authenticity. Eva Libertad opens an unforgettable window into the life of a deaf woman navigating motherhood in a world not designed for her. Led by the stunning performance of deaf actress Miriam Garlo, the film challenges us to listen differently and to build a Europe where no one is left without a voice,” said European Parliament Vice-President Sabine Verheyen.
Following the announcement, Eva Libertad said: “I hope this award will help to highlight the deaf community and the diversity of people in Europe, and to promote inclusive policies that improve their lives. I also hope it will help society change its perspective on diversity, moving away from seeing it as a problem and toward recognizing it as a source of human richness.”
The other four finalist films were: Christy, by Irish director Brendan Canty; It Was Just an Accident, by Iranian director Jafar Panahi, winner of the 2012 Sakharov Prize; Love Me Tender, by French director Anna Cazenave Cambet; and Sentimental Value, by Norwegian director Joachim Trier.
You can read more about the LUX Audience Award nominees.
The winning film
Deaf 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 increase when she faces the reality of raising a baby in a world not designed for her.
The winning film was chosen by citizens across Europe, as well as by Members of the European Parliament, who voted for their favorite film on the LUX Audience Award evaluation platform. The votes from both groups accounted for 50% each of the final score for each film.
Press Statements
Following the ceremony in the hemicycle, Vice-President Sabine Verheyen, representatives of the winning film, the President of the European Film Academy, Ada Solomon, and the Honorary Chair of the LUX Audience Award Selection Committee, Mike Downey, will make statements to the media at the entrance to the SPAAK 03C050 room (opposite the hemicycle) at approximately 7:15 p.m. You can follow the live broadcast.
LUX Audience Award
Through the LUX Audience Award, a unique award for pan-European audiences, Parliament has been supporting the distribution of European films since 2007 by providing subtitles in 24 EU languages for all shortlisted films. This year, for the first time and in line with Parliament's commitment to accessibility, the shortlisted films include subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.
The European Parliament is working with the European Film Academy, the European Commission and the Europa Cinemas network to reach a wider audience and further strengthen the links between citizens and politics.