Campaign Rules

for shortlisted/nominated/awarded films
within the framework of the 39th European Film Awards

In the first stages of the selection process, selected films are made accessible exclusively to registered Academy members on the Academy VOD Platform. Selected films are not publicly promoted mentioning this selection, neither by the European Film Academy nor by the rightsholders of the selected films*. 

On 14 October 2026, the complete list of selected films is publicly announced as the European Film Awards Shortlist for the European Film Awards 2027. 

Only after this official press announcement, promotional campaigns for European Film Awards shortlisted films (i.e. referring to the shortlisting for the European Film Awards) are allowed*. The films on the European Film Awards Shortlist will be promoted simultaneously by the European Film Academy. Rightsholders of shortlisted films can promote the films according to the European Film Academy campaign rules. 

Nominations in most categories will be announced on 14 November 2026. The nomination for EUROPEAN SHORT FILM – Prix Vimeo will be announced on 4 November 2026, while the EUROPEAN YOUNG AUDIENCE AWARD follows a separate procedure.

Following the announcement of the European Film Awards nominations, promotional campaigns may continue to refer to a film’s or an individual’s nomination. 

After the 39th European Film Awards ceremony on 16 January 2027, promotion may continue by referring to the film or individual as a European Film Award winner. 

General Communication

After the announcement of the European Film Awards shortlist/nominations/awards, it is allowed to

• promote a European Film Awards shortlisted/nominated/awarded film according to the campaign rules
• highlight a European Film Awards shortlisted/nominated/awarded film and individual achievements of the film
• encourage Academy members to watch a European Film Awards shortlisted/nominated film
  
  

It is not permitted to

• start any promotion before the announcement of the European Film Awards shortlist/nomination*
• pressure Academy members to vote or not vote for a European Film Awards shortlisted/nominated film, or performance or individual achievement
• discuss personal or other Academy members’ voting considerations or preferences in public (at events, in the press, on social media); this includes comparing or ranking European Film Awards shortlisted/nominated films, performances, or other individual achievements of the films regarding nomination or awards voting
• publicly share or publish personal choices/votes as an Academy member at any time

 

Promotion

Following the announcement of the European Film Awards Shortlist on 14 October 2026, the nominations on 14 November 2026, and the Awards ceremony on 16 January 2027, rightsholders are permitted to promote a shortlisted, nominated, or awarded film’s status in the 39th European Film Awards as follows: 

1.General requirements (all channels)

It is mandatory to

• mention a film’s European Film Awards shortlisted/nominated/awarded status on all visuals produced

• use the official European Film Awards signet to designate the status as shortlisted, nominated, or awarded film. The Academy’s guidelines on social media and public relations for each status will be made available here four weeks prior to the announcement of the shortlist.

• make the European Film Awards signet available to all national distributors for promotional purposes within their respective countries or territories. 
• maximise the visibility of the film’s European Film Awards shortlisted, nominated or awarded status across all promotional materials.
  
  

2. Branding and promotional materials 

This specifically includes the European Film Awards signet for a film’s shortlisting/nomination/award in all kinds of future promotion, including

• in press and print publications related to the European Film Awards shortlisted/nominated/awarded film
• in the logo reel prior to the opening credits of the European Film Awards shortlisted/nominated/awarded film
• on poster materials and other promotional materials
• on covers of Blu-ray/DVDs
• on websites, social media profiles and pages owned and administrated by the rightsholders of the film
• any other kind of marketing and/or advertising channels or materials not listed above
  
  

3. Social Media and PR campaigns

The official European Film Awards signet and the correct wording for European Film Awards shortlisted/nominated/awarded films are included in the social media and PR guidelines (see above). The European Film Academy will make an individual social media visual available for each European Film Awards shortlisted/nominated/awarded film and/or for an individual achievement, to be used by the rightsholder according to the guidelines. 

Rightsholders are expected to help synchronise visibility of the European Film Awards shortlisted/nominated/awarded films on social media by tagging the European Film Academy, using the official hashtag #europeanfilmawards and #europeancinema and accepting collaboration invitation in relation to the respective films. The rightsholder should tag  the European Film Academy on the most widely accepted social media platforms. (Please note the European Film Academy has suspended its activities on X since November 2024). 

Rightsholders are expected to support press and social media campaigns leading up to and during the European Film Awards weekend, including securing talent availability for interviews. 

Shortlisted films that do not receive a nomination are strongly encouraged to have two talent representatives attend the awards ceremony and participate in promotional interviews. 

4. Cinema screenings

The European Film Academy encourages cinema screenings of European Film Awards shortlisted/nominated/awarded films. The European Film Academy believes that cinema screenings maximise each film’s quality and each viewer’s experience. 

In the run-up to the European Film Awards, it is possible to organise and host (either Academy members-only or public) screenings of feature-length European Film Awards shortlisted/nominated/awarded films. Screenings of these films after the European Film Awards might be considered for films vying for other international awards. To promote such a screening as a European Film Academy screening, it is imperative to invite Academy members according to the campaign rules: 

• Invitations to Academy members must be shared exclusively by the European Film Academy. Distribution of the invitations will reach individual members living in the city where the screening is planned. 
• Screening invitation design must be provided by the rightsholder and include the respective shortlisting/nomination European Film Awards signet. 
• Rightsholders must inform the Academy of all invitation details to members at least three working days prior to the screening.
• While the Academy team will share the screening information to its members, rightsholders remain responsible for managing the RSVP process and the final guest list. 
• Logistics and any costs for the cinema screening(s) are covered by the rightsholders. 
• The European Film Academy recommends booking a screening in the cinema of its partner network in 125 cities around Europe, linked to the Academy’s annual European Award Season. The European Film Academy can help you with getting in touch with the cinema of your choice. 
  
  

The above also apply for non-exclusive member screenings like festival screenings, premiere screenings or similar screening opportunities for which the rightsholders reserve tickets for Academy members and follow the above-mentioned rules. 

For the European Film Awards 2027 screenings of feature-length European Film Awards shortlisted/nominated films can take place between specific periods of time: 

• For shortlisted films:
  between the date of the announcement of the European Film Awards Shortlist (14 October 2026) and the end of the nomination vote (4 November 2026). 
• For nominated films:
  between the announcement of the nominations (14 November 2026) 
  and the end of the awards vote (7 January 2027).
• For awarded films:
  after 16 January 2027, to promote the film during the voting periods of other international awards (BAFTAs, Oscars, etc.)
  
  

Cinema screenings of feature-length European Film Awards shortlisted/ nominated/ awarded films can be accompanied by (moderated) in-person Q&A sessions or panel discussions. 

For any inquiries about how to contact European Award Season partner cinemas and/or how to invite members to screenings of shortlisted/nominated films please get in touch with submit@europeanfilmawards.eu 

* This does not apply to the Short Film category, where a film’s shortlisting can be promoted starting from its individual selection date, or the Young Audience Award category, which follows a different procedure.