European Film Awards: Political Statements & Shadow of Hollywood Awards

The European Film Awards (EFA), held in Berlin on January 17, 2026, offered a more politically and socially conscious counterpoint to Hollywood’s award season, though organizers appear to be increasingly focused on aligning with the Academy Awards timeline. This year’s ceremony saw ‘Sentimental Value’ sweep the board, taking home the top prize.

The awards ceremony, now in its 38th edition, notably provided a platform for Iranian director Jafar Panahi, who received a standing ovation. Panahi, a veteran filmmaker known for works like The White Balloon, The Mirror, The Circle, Crimson Gold, and Offside, addressed the audience regarding the situation in Iran. He stated, “When truth is crushed in one place, freedom is suffocated everywhere […] That is why no one is safe anywhere in the world. Not in Iran. Not in Europe. Not in the United States. Not anywhere on this planet. And that is precisely why our task as filmmakers and artists is more difficult today than ever before. If we are disappointed with politicians, we must at least refuse to remain silent.”

Panahi, who has served two prison sentences in Iran and recently received a third sentence of one year on charges of creating propaganda against the political system, had his latest film, It Was Just an Accident (classified as a French production), considered for an award. Iranian filmmaker Sara Rajaei also received recognition, winning the best short film award for City of Poets, a film exploring the impact of war on a fictional Persian town. Rajaei dedicated her award to her deceased brother, expressing pain rather than celebration given the current conditions in Iran.

While the Cannes and Venice film festivals last year saw large protests regarding the situation in Gaza, the response at the EFAs was more muted. A protest did occur by the film team from The Voice of Hind Rajab, who displayed a banner reading “From Berlin to Gaza, we rise up against all those who defend an ideology of death.” However, neither With Hasan in Gaza nor The Voice of Hind Rajab received any awards.

The EFA’s willingness to provide a platform for Panahi raises questions, particularly given the political complexities surrounding Iran. German chancellor Friedrich Merz has expressed support for a regime change in Iran, and Panahi reportedly declined to criticize a potential return to power by the son of the late Shah, Reza Pahlavi. While Panahi criticized Israel’s bombardment of Iran in June 2025, he has not publicly condemned the conflict in Gaza.

It Was Just an Accident, Panahi’s film, centers on a mechanic and former prisoner, Vahid, who believes he has identified the man who tortured him in Evin prison. The film follows Vahid’s pursuit of revenge and his subsequent journey to confirm the man’s identity with other victims of the regime. The film incorporates elements of humor and explores the historical trauma within a family, revealing a grandmother’s experience of torture by the Nazis.

The film is noted for its humanitarian instincts and stands out favorably in comparison to other EFA prize winners. However, the film’s approach to historical context, specifically its use of Nazism as a plot device, has been criticized for lacking a sense of social urgency and failing to acknowledge the contemporary threat of fascism and the ultra-right.

Norwegian filmmaker Liv Ullmann was honored with a lifetime achievement award, using her acceptance speech to comment on the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize, seemingly referencing US president Trump. She stated, “I am Norwegian, we give a Nobel Prize to someone who deserves it, and suddenly it goes to someone else. It’s so strange … And that’s why I’m happy that we have laws that say that if you misuse the Nobel Prize, it can be taken away from you. Someone with power in the US may be disappointed. He will lose it, and I am happy about it.” However, it was noted that the actual recipient of the prize, María Corina Machado, was equally unqualified.

The top prize, Best Film, went to Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value, a Norwegian film focusing on an aging filmmaker, Gustav, and his attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughters. The film explores the dynamics within the film and theatre industries and delves into the family’s history, linking their present-day struggles to the trauma of the Nazi past. Critics have noted the film’s head-in-the-sand approach to contemporary issues and its focus on personal self-realization over broader social engagement.

Óliver Laxe’s Sirât, an apocalyptic road movie set in the Moroccan rave scene, also received significant recognition. Inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche’s quote, “I won’t believe in a God who doesn’t dance,” the film depicts a group of social outcasts seeking transcendence through trance music in the desert. The film concludes with a scene of destruction, symbolizing the consequences of seeking escape from reality.

Laura Carreira’s On Falling, produced by Ken Loach, received the Honorary Discovery Award. The film addresses the exploitation of workers in an Amazon-type warehouse, highlighting a globally relevant issue.