GENERAL INFORMATION
What is the European Young Audience Award and when was it established?
Established in 2012, the European Young Audience Award is a category of the European Film Awards to honour three outstanding European films suitable and addressed for young viewers mainly aged 12 to 14. In a two-month viewing process young people aged 12 to 19 watch the nominated films in cinemas and act as jurors at a unique scale, voting for the winner.
Which films are eligible?
The 39th European Film Awards will be presented by the European Film Academy and European Film Academy Productions on 16 January 2027 in Athens/Greece.
Eligible are full-length fiction, animation or documentary films suitable and mainly recommended for young people, having to be appropriate for an audience of 12-year-olds.
The films must have a European director, be intended for theatrical release and have had their first official screening (be it at a festival or at a regular cinema) between 1 October 2025 and 30 September 2026 and meet the particular criteria of the European Young Audience Award category. Depending on the date of a film’s first official screening/world premiere, a film needs to be submitted within the respective submission period.
The main production country must be European; European, in the sense of the European Film Academy, means geographical Europe, both EU and non-EU, and includes Israel and Palestine (please refer to the list of eligible countries).
Eligible individuals for a nomination or an award must be born in Europe or hold a European passport. The Academy Board may consider non-Europeans provided they have a European refugee or similar status or have lived in Europe and worked in the European film industry for at least five consecutive years.
For the selection and nomination procedure the films need to be made available to the committee (review group) deciding on the three nominations for the European Young Audience Award.
The submission fee amounts to EUR 100 (subject to VAT) per film.
For more information and the full regulations, please refer to the Regulations of the European Film Awards.
How can a film be submitted?
Film submission for the upcoming European Film Awards is now open.
For all information and the full regulations, please refer to the Regulations of the European Film Awards.
If you would like to submit a film, please contact submit@europeanfilmawards.eu
Who decides about the nominations?
A review group consisting of members of the European Film Club (aged 12 – 19) and three film professionals, all representing a diverse range of European countries, watch the submitted films and evaluate them. The decision about the three nominations is taken by four representatives of the young review group and the three film professionals in the beginning of October.
Who decides about the winner?
The three nominated films are presented to young Europeans aged 12 to 19 in cinemas during European Award Season. After each screening the young audiences rate each film individually with a digital voting ballot accessible by QR code. All votes determine the winner who is announced during the 39th European Film Awards presented by the European Film Academy on 16 January 2026 in Athens/Greece.
How and when are the nominated films screened?
The three nominated films are screened across Europe to young audiences aged 12+ during the European Award Season from November 2026 to January 2027:
- One non-commercial jury screening per film and city, organised by our cultural partner network, during the European Award Season or at the Concluding Jury Event on 16 January 2027, the day of the European Film Awards. Local partners will choose the best date and screening format, considering local circumstances, to ensure the best possible outcome in terms of reaching young audiences, for example through school screenings, special festival screenings, or special cinema event.
- Additional commercial theatrical screenings in partner cinemas during the European Award Season. These are regular screenings with ticket sales and open to everyone (eg. families). The local cinemas program the films nominated for European Young Audience Award whenever it suits them best within the given period. The screening rights and the film material are handled by the cinema directly with the local distributors.
What are the key benefits for rights-holders?
- A film nominated for the European Young Audience Award benefits from significant visibility and recognition across European markets.
- The prestigious endorsement by the European Film Academy and voted on by young jurors adds credibility and value to the film’s reputation, with the nomination serving as a mark of quality and being a proof of relevance to young audiences.
- The award nomination strengthens promotional efforts and enhances attractiveness to current and future distributors.
- Local distributors may leverage the award nomination to adjust the marketing timeline and align the release plan with increased visibility from the program.
- Benefit from Europe-wide promotion coordinated by the Academy and its network of established film organisations and cinemas, requiring minimal marketing expenditure from the rights-holders and local distributors.
- Enhance the film’s cultural relevance by engaging in this meaningful European initiative, which promotes youth film literacy and cultural exchange while connecting with new audiences.
What are the strategic and reputational benefits for partners and cinemas joining?
- Promote European cinema, film literacy and cultural diversity by screening high-quality European films.
- Attract young audiences by offering a curated selection of youth-approved films.
- Build relationships with young audiences by offering active participation and connection to peers across Europe through interactive and social tools.
- Engage with young people by offering them participation in a democratic cultural process, where young people vote for their favourite film.
- Connect with future cinemagoers by benefiting from the cross-promotion with the Academy.
- Promote cinema-going culture among the younger generation.
- Gain cross-border visibility within a diverse network of a Europe-wide alliance of respected film organisations committed to the same values.
- Strengthen the own branding and grow international recognition by joining a prestigious European project of the European Film Academy and being presented as a partner on the Awards website.
- Connect cinema to a pan-European initiative, fostering international engagement.
- Enhance visibility and relevance of local cinema, programme or initiative within the European film landscape.
What are the benefits for young people participating?
- Opportunity to discover high-quality European films.
- Development of skills to better understand and analyse the moving image.
- Possibility to discover European stories, people, cultures and societies through films.
- Space to develope a sense of community, tolerance and a greater understanding of the European neighbours.
- Opportunity for meaningful and peaceful exchange of views.
- Experience of being an active member of the European community in a democratic process.
How can a cinema or partner join the program to organise a local screening?
To join the programme please reach out to us.
Contact Heidi: hf@academy-productions.org
RIGHTS CLEARANCE
How is the rights clearance organised?
When clearing screening rights, two distinct categories apply: non-commercial & commercial.
NON-COMMERCIAL SCRENING RIGHT
The agreement to the non-commercial screenings is a mandatory part of a nomination. This applies to one educational jury screening per film and city organised by our cultural partner network during the European Awards Season (November – January) or on the day of the Concluding Jury Event on 16 January 2027.
- The screenings offer free access to pre-registered and invited young participants aged 12 to 19
- The screenings are organised within the local educational programme (eg. special festival screening, school screening, special cinema screening, etc.)
> Rights-holders must inform current and potential distributors about the film’s submission and these associated terms.
> Films must be provided in their original version with English subtitles as open DCP. Local subtitles are added by the local partner.
COMMERCIAL SCREENING RIGHT
This applies to cinema screenings during the European Award Season (November to January) that involve ticket sales or revenue generation.
- Such commercial theatrical rights are not included in the general agreement.
- They must be cleared separately by the individual cinemas directly with local distributors.
Why should a rights-holder and distributor agree to all the screenings?
In case of a nomination for the European Young Audience Award, the nominated film will benefit from significant visibility and recognition across European markets. This nomination provides a powerful endorsement from both the European Film Academy and young people, which can greatly enhance the film’s appeal to potential distributors and provide a valuable promotional tool, offering credibility and appeal when positioning the film to young audiences.
Is the agreement on all the screenings mandatory?
It is imperative that the film is submitted with the understanding that it is to be made available to young audiences in all European territories for potential screenings in the event of a nomination for this audience award (please see regulations).
Agreement to all non-commercial screenings (one screening per city) is mandatory.
Rights-holders must also inform existing and potential new distributors of the submission and its associated terms and conditions.
Additional to the usual deliveries the rights-holder provides an open DCP of the film in its original version; and a reference file, the English subtitles and English dialogue book. Each local partner is responsible and covers the costs for the translation and creation of subtitles, if necessary.
What happens if rights to further European countries will be sold by November?
New distributors need to be informed about the submission (and potential nomination) of a film for the European Young Audience Award and the mandatory screenings in case of a nomination. The full list of distributors needs to be shared with the Academy in case of a nomination.
Is it possible to exclude some European countries categorically?
It is not possible to categorically exclude individual countries/territories for screenings. A film nominated for the European Young Audience Award will benefit from significant visibility and recognition across European markets. This nomination provides a powerful endorsement from both the European Film Academy and young people.
NON-COMMERCIAL JURY SCREENINGS
Who are the local partners organising the events?
The European Film Academy collaborates with a network of European film organisations, including youth film festivals, national film academies, institutes and centres, and film educational program. This network has been growing and expanding constantly across Europe since the beginning. Each partner is committed to young audiences, has the experience to engage new viewers and an existing infrastructure for the promotion.
How can a partner organise a non-commercial jury screening?
Local partners can organise one non-commercial jury screening per film and city whenever it suits them best during the European Award Season from 1 November 2026 to 16 January 2027. The screening can be a school screening, a special jury screening within the local festival, or at the Concluding Jury Event on 16 January 2027, the day of the European Film Awards.
What is the Concluding Jury Event?
The Concluding Jury Event is a network of local events organised simultaneously across Europe on Saturday, 16 January 2027, the day of the European Film Awards. It combines screenings of the nominated films with discussions, workshops, fun activities and rating of the films. Throughout the day, local audiences interact with each other using digital tools, allowing them to develop a sense of community with peers across Europe.
From the beginning, the event has been the core of the European Young Audience Award (clip of the early editions here) with a network of local partners organising the local events for invited young people aged 12 to 19. The event is a non-commercial jury event free of charge.
What are the presumable costs for partners organising the Concluding Jury Event?
The Academy clears the general non-commercial jury screening rights which usually means no local screening fees occure. Should a local distributor however insist on a local screening fee this would have to be covered by the respective partner.
Local partners are responsible for covering the costs related to the local event and the local version of the films.
Presumable costs overview:
- Event & screening location
- Local stuff
- Translation + creation of subtitles
- Promotion of the local event
- Printing of graphic material (eg. poster, handouts, etc.)
- Hardware for live webcam and chat booth
- Internet connection in the cinema
- Catering throughout the day for participants
How are the rights handled for non-commercial jury screenings?
It is imperative that the film is submitted with the understanding that it is to be made available to young audiences in all European territories for potential screenings in the event of a nomination for this audience award (please see regulations).
Agreement to all non-commercial screenings (one screening per city) is mandatory.
Rights-holders must also inform existing and potential new distributors of the submission and its associated terms and conditions.
Additional to the usual deliveries the rights-holder provides an open DCP of the film in its original version; as well as a reference file, the English subtitles and English dialogue book. Each local partner is responsible and covers the costs for the translation and creation of subtitles, if necessary.
COMMERCIAL THEATRICAL SCREENINGS
Why should a cinema join and program the three films nominated?
For cinemas, screening the three films nominated for the European Young Audience Award is a fantastic opportunity to introduce younger audiences to the cinema-going culture and to engage with its members through this medium.
Now in its 14th edition, the European Young Audience Award has brought together thousands of young people from across Europe in its long history, connecting them through an incredible cinema experience, giving them a voice and letting them participate in a democratic process.
By voting for the European Young Audience Award, young people can contribute to the shaping of a pan-European film landscape. Cinemas have the opportunity to attract young audiences through this curated selection of films chosen in partnership with the European Film Club‘s teenage viewing committee. Participation in the European Young Audience Award provides local European cinemas with the opportunity to innovate and/or further their audience development program.
Should the theatrical screenings be arranged exclusively for school and youth groups?
The theatrical screenings are open to the public and everyone is invited to watch the films. But if cinemas prefer to organise school or youth group screenings this is also welcomed. The voting is limited to the 12 to 19-year-olds and regulated within the digital voting ballot.
How are the theatrical screenings organised in detail?
The three nominated films are programmed by cinemas across Europe participating in the European Award Season in special audience award screenings, framed by the promotion material provided by the European Film Academy. The theatrical screenings are arranged for the public, ideally promoted as family or youth screenings. Additional film talks afterwards are appreciated but not mandatory (eg. in collaboration with a local film educational program). The number of screenings are limited to up to 2 screenings per film and cinema. Rights clearance and film delivery for the theatrical screenings are coordinated between the cinema and the rights-holder.
What are the presumable costs for cinemas screening the three films nominated?
Cinemas are responsible for coordinating the theatrical screening rights with the local distributors individually and cover all costs related to the theatrical screenings.
Is it possible for a rights-holder to opt out of the theatrical screenings in certain countries?
It is not possible to categorically opt out of theatrical screenings in certain countries. Local cinemas will coordinate theatrical screening rights with local distributors directly for screenings of films nominated for the European Young Audience Award during the European Award Season. A film nominated for the European Young Audience Award will benefit from significant visibility and recognition across European markets. This nomination provides a powerful endorsement from both the European Film Academy and young people.
Could a rights-holder ask to postpone local screenings should a national premiere of a nominated film be confirmed for that country?
The film needs to be screened within the given timeframe for the audience to vote for it. In the event of a nomination, a local distributor should consider adjusting their marketing plan to benefit from the increased visibility and prestigious endorsement.
VOTING
How does the voting work precisely?
Young audiences (aged 12-19) rate the films individually after each screening. Votemo provides the voting tool, a secure digital voting ballot which is available through a QR code after each screening in theaters and during the event. Additionally, a paper voting ballot is available for young people not able to access the QR code. Their votes determine the winner, who is announced at the European Film Awards ceremony.
Are only viewers aged 12-19 allowed to vote?
Yes, and the digital voting ballot asks for the age before enabling the user to vote. Therefore, cinemas can display the QR code on the screen and/or in the foyer to the full audience and don’t need to limit this specifically to the target age group, because this is regulated through Votemo.
When does the voting end?
The voting period opens with the beginning of the European Awards Season in November 2026. The closing deadline for online voting is the day of the Concluding Jury Event on 16 January 2027 at (exact time TBA). Additionally, the paper voting ballots need to be sent by email the day before on Friday, 15 January 2027 at 23 CET.
SUSTAINABILITY GUIDELINES
Which guidelines does the Academy recommend for the European Young Audience Award?
The European Film Academy encourages all Young Audience Awards participants to follow simple sustainability principles:
- Travel Smart: Favour local engagement and public transport; avoid unnecessary air travel.
- Hybrid Events: Use a mix of cinema and online screenings to reduce emissions.
- Digital First: Prioritise digital communication and reusable promotional materials.
- Sustainable Venues: Choose cinemas with eco-friendly practices when possible.
- Low-Impact Catering: Use local, seasonal, and plant-based food; avoid single-use plastics.
- Eco-Awareness: Include sustainability topics in youth workshops and film talks.
- Track & Improve: Estimate your environmental impact and share your efforts with the Academy.
If you’d like to go further or share your sustainability ideas, we welcome your contribution!
How does the European Young Audience Award reduces its environmental impact?
The Academy incorporates sustainable practices by:
- Encouraging online voting and streaming to reduce the need for travel.
- Organising hybrid screenings that combine local cinema experiences with digital access.
- Recommending digital over printed promotional materials.
- Partnering with local organisations to reduce cross-border logistics.
Does the digital voting system contribute to sustainability?
Yes. The use of Votemo’s digital voting ballot reduces the need for printed ballots and on-site vote collection logistics. It enables seamless participation from dispersed audiences, reducing travel and material waste.
Is there a sustainability contact point for questions or collaboration ideas?
Partners or participants interested in sustainability topics can contact the Academy’s Sustainability Officer via the general contact email. Collaboration ideas, feedback, or offers to pilot sustainable practices are welcome.
