Change in the Award Votes

The 37th European Film Awards – Change in the Award Votes

From now onwards, nominated documentaries and animated feature films will additionally compete with nominated fiction films in the category European Film 2024.

In its commitment to recognising the diversity and creativity of European cinema, the European Film Academy is proud to announce an important change concerning the vote for the category European Film. This summer, the Board of the European Film Academy decided with immediate effect that starting from the 37th European Film Awards, not only fiction feature films but also feature-length documentaries and animated feature films are considered as candidates for the category European Film

The aim of this change is to better reflect the fact that documentaries and animated feature films are an essential part of European cinema culture, adding much to its great diversity. Both documentary and animated films come in a plethora of genres, storytelling traditions and narrative forms, for any audience.  

In a landmark decision, the Academy Board has agreed that documentaries and animated films are just as powerful and captivating as feature fiction films, and therefore deserve equal participation in the European Film category. By including documentary and animation films in this most prestigious category of the European Film Awards, the European Film Academy aims to equally recognise the achievements and contributions of documentary and animation films for European film culture. 

What does this mean?  

Starting this year, in addition to competing for awards in their respective categories – European Documentary or European Animated Feature Film, these films will be eligible for the prestigious European Film Award in the category ‘European Film’, which will be voted on by all members of the European Film Academy. 

Academy CEO Matthijs Wouter Knol: “Simply said, the best film of Europe can from now onwards also be a feature-length documentary film or animated feature film, and not only a fiction film. The decision of the Board of the European Film Academy reflects a long wish from members to a fairer and more equal chance for all feature-length films to compete for this recognition. The decision reflects a changing perception in our industry of the value of all films made. I’m proud and grateful that the European Film Academy, in a process of increasing transparency and equality for all who work in European cinema, has taken this step and embraces this change.” 

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