“Sorda” wins the 2026 LUX Audience Award

The film “Sorda”, directed by the Spanish filmmaker Eva Libertad, has been awarded the 2026 LUX Audience Award, following a vote by European citizens and MEPs.

“The LUX Audience Award shines a spotlight 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 offers an unforgettable glimpse into the life of a deaf woman navigating motherhood in a world not built for her. Led by the impressive 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 helps to shine a spotlight on the deaf community and the diversity of people in Europe, and to drive forward inclusion policies that improve their living conditions. I also hope it will help society change its view of diversity, so that it is no longer seen as a problem but 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 nominees for the LUX Audience Award.

The winning film

Sordatells 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 grow as she faces the reality of raising a baby in a world not built for her.

The winning film was chosen by citizens from across Europe, as well as by MEPs, who voted for their favourite film on the LUX Audience Award voting platform. The votes from both groups each accounted for 50% of each film’s final score.

Statements to the press

Following the ceremony in the Chamber, 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 speak to the media at the entrance to room SPAAK 03C050 (opposite the Chamber), at around 7.15 pm. You can follow the live broadcast.

LUX Audience Award

Through the LUX Audience Award, a unique prize for a pan-European audience, the 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 in line with the Parliament’s commitment to accessibility, the finalist films include subtitles for deaf and hard-of-hearing people.

The European Parliament works 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.

More information: European Parliament.