Crossing Europe Award Winners at 26th Linzer Film Festival

The 26th edition of the Crossing Europe Film Festival in Linz, Austria, concluded its main awards ceremony on Sunday, May 3, 2026, with the top prize for best feature film being shared between two productions.

The Crossing Europe Award for Best Fiction Film, which carries a prize of €5,000 powered by Linz Kultur, was split between the winning entries. The festival’s Competition Fiction section focuses on the first and second feature-length fiction films of young European directors, emphasizing unconventional storytelling and socio-political themes.

The awards gala was characterized by emotional highlights, including a poignant appeal for attendees to spend time with your mothers.

Festival Structure and Competition

The 2026 festival showcased a diverse array of young European auteur cinema. The Competition Fiction category typically features between nine and 11 European feature films, which are presented as Austrian premieres. This section is judged by a professional jury to determine the Best Fiction Film, while the Audience Award is decided by festival attendees.

In addition to the fiction competition, the festival includes a Competition Documentary section, which awards the Crossing Europe Social Awareness Award to films that highlight critical societal issues.

The event serves as a platform for emerging filmmakers across Europe, providing visibility for debut and sophomore works that challenge traditional cinematic norms.