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 online and act as jurors at a unique scale, voting for the winner.
Which films are eligible and how can it be submitted?
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 June 2024 and 30 September 2025 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.
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 90 (subject to VAT) per film (in each submission phase an early bird discounted rate of EUR 75 will be available).
For more information and the full regulations, please refer to the Regulations of the European Film Awards.
Who decides about the nominations?
A review group consisting of members of the European Film Club Consultation Group (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, online, and in a concluding jury event during the Month of European Film. After each screening the young audiences rate each film individually with a digital voting ballot accessable by QR code. All votes determine the winner, who is announced during the 38th European Film Awards presented by the European Film Academy on 17 January 2026 in Berlin/Germany.
How and when are the nominated films screened?
The three nominated films are screened in cinemas, online and in a Concluding Jury Event across Europe to young audiences aged 12 to 19:
- In Special Cinema Screenings in partnering cinemas across Europe during the European Award Season from 18 November 2025 to 16 January 2026. The theatrical screenings are limited to up to 2 screenings per film and cinema. They are open to the public and tickets are sold.
- As online streaming for members of the European Film Club in the second part of the European Award Season from 16 December 2025 to 16 January 2026. The platform is a closed, secure space for verified members only and free of charge.
- In three online Watch Parties for members of European Film Club and for pre-registered European youth on 14th, 15th and 16th January 2026. The Watch Parties are free of charge but require registration.
- During the Concluding Jury Event organised by a network of partners from across Europe on the day of the European Film Awards, on Saturday 17 January 2026. The local events are for invited youth and free of charge.
What is the difference between the Special Cinema Screenings and the Concluding Jury Event?
- The Special Cinema Screenings are regular theatrical screenings with ticket sales and open to everyone (eg. families) in a partnering cinema during the European Award Season from 18 November 2025 to 16 January 2026. The local cinemas programme the films nominated for European Young Audience Award whenever it suits them best within the given period. The commercial screening rights and the film material is handled by the cinema directly with the local distributor.
- The Concluding Jury Event is a one-day film event free of charge for invited young people only (aged 12-19). The Academy clears the non-commercial rights for these screenings taking place simultaneously throughout Europe on Saturday, 17 January 2026 and provides partners the films in its original versions. The local partners are responsiple and cover the costs for the translation and creation of subtitles.
For further details please read the respective FAQ’s further below or reach out to us.
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 distrbutors.
- Local distributors may leverage the award nomination to adjust the marketing timeline and aligne the release plan with increased visibility from the programme.
- 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 enganging in this meaningful European initiative, which promotes youth film literacy and cultural exchange while connecting with new audiences.
- Possibility of inclusion in the European Film Club catalogue after the award period, enabling long-term educational use under a separate agreement.
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 partner join the programme to organise a local event or theatrical screenings?
To join the programme please reach out to us.
Contact: hf@academy-productions.org
RIGHTS CLEARANCE
How is the rights clearance organised?
When clearing rights, a distinction is made between commercial and non-commercial screening rights:
- The commercial theatrical rights for the limited number of European Young Audience Award special cinema screenings during the European Award Season are cleared by cinemas directly with local distributors. Timeframe: 18 November 2025 – 16 January 2026.
- The European Film Academy asks rights-holders for the general agreement to the following non-commercial jury rights:
- The non-commercial online Jury Streaming to members of the European Film Club from 16 December 2025 to 16 January 2026.
- The 3 non-commercial online jury Watch Parties for members of European Film Club and for pre-registered European youth organised on 14th, 15th, and 16th January 2026.
- The non-commercial Concluding Jury Event across Europe organised by the network of European partners on 17 January 2026. (A list of partners will be provided.)
The agreement to the non-commercial screenings is mandatory. Rights-holders need to inform existing and potential new distributors about the submission and the associated terms and conditions.
Why should a rights-holder and distributor of a film 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?
The general agreement for the film to be made available to young audiences for potential screenings in case of a nomination in all European territories in the framework of this audience award (please see regulations) is imperative. The agreement to all non-commercial screenings is mandatory. Rights-holders also need to inform existing and potential new distributors about the submission and the associated terms and conditions.
What happens if rights to further European countries will be sold until 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.
SPECIAL CINEMA SCREENINGS
Why should a cinema join and programme the three films nominated for European Young Audience Award?
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 have the opportunity to 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 programme.
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 that want to screen the three films nominated for the European Young Audience Award during the European Award Season?
Cinemas are responsible to coordinate 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 in order 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.
EUROPEAN FILM CLUB STREAMING
Who are the members of European Film Club and how many does it have?
Young people aged 12 to 19 living in Europe. We have approaching 150 film clubs in 22 countries with 2,000 members. These numbers are set to grow but unlikely to exceed 5,000 members by January 2026.
What kind of platform is the European Film Club?
The European Film Academy has developed a closed platform for the screening of European films to young audiences aged 12 to 19. Each member needs to register and is verified by the film club leader. Films are only visible within the member area and only to verified users. Films can be watched individually, as the film catalogue hosted on Vimeo is embedded into the member area, with an expiring embed approach based on a timeline for extra security, or through a watch party functionality, provided also by Vimeo and embedded as well into the member area.
We already have a film on the EFC platform, what is the difference now with the EYAA films?
Generally, the European Film Club platform licenses films for educational screenings for a period of three years. The difference now is that films nominated for the European Young Audience Award are under a jury license for a limited period of one month. However, afterwards it is possible to include the film to the European Film Club catalogue making it available for the members for a longer time by a separate agreement.
ONLINE WATCH PARTIES
When are the online Watch Parties organised?
The dates for the three online Watch Parties are:
- Wednesday, 14 January 2026
- Thursday, 15 January 2026
- Friday, 16 January 2026
Who organises the Watch Parties and how are they taking place?
The European Film Club hosts the online Watch Parties for members of film clubs and for pre-registered European youth. The Watch Parties are free of charge but require registration.
Watch Parties can be hosted by a partner from anywhere with a dedicated computer, a stable internet connection and a quiet surrounding.
The online Watch Parties are followed by film discussions in English when hosted by the European Film Club Team, and in the local language if the partner organizes it.
What is required from the partner?
- Provide the local subtitles to the Academy by 1 December 2025.
- Participate in a test call with the European Film Club team about individual setup (in autumn).
- Pre-register via the official link provided by the Academy (in autumn).
- Provide a computer to screen the film in your local version (in a dedicated room inside the Watch Party).
- Ensure a stable internet connection and a quiet surrounding.
- Inform, invite and engage young people about the Watch Party (using the promotion material provided by the Academy).
What is required from the participant?
- Pre-register via the official link provided by the Academy.
- Join on time for the screening and any related activities.
- Ensure a stable internet connection and a quiet environment for best viewing.
- Most importantly — bring curiosity, opinions, and have fun!
How are the Watch Parties kept safe and secure for young people?
- Pre-registration is required for the Watch Party venue.
- Only verified adults (e.g. partners, teachers, youth workers, NGO staff) are allowed to join the Watch Party.
- Adults not professionally working with young people are not permitted to join the online Watch Parties.
What are the presumable costs for partner that want to join the Watch Party?
Local partners who want to host a local room within the Watch Party and screen the films in their own language are responsible for covering the costs of translating and creating subtitles for the films.
Furthermore, the partner is responsible for the costs related to the promotion of the local Watch Party.
CONCLUDING JURY EVENT
What exactly is the Concluding Jury Event?
The Concluding Jury Event is a network of local events organised simultaneously across Europe on Saturday, 17 January 2026, 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.
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 programmes. 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.
What are the presumable costs for partner that want to organise 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 partner are responsible to cover 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
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 on 18 November 2025. The closing deadline for online voting is the day of the Concluding Jury Event on 17 January 2026 at 17.00 CET sharp. Additionally, the paper voting ballots need to be sent by email the day before on Friday, 16 January 2026 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.
Are the online screenings more sustainable than cinema screenings?
Both have pros and cons. Online screenings reduce travel-related emissions but involve data centre energy use. Special cinema screenings can have a lower carbon footprint when organised for local audiences walking or using public transport. The Academy encourages organisers to choose the most sustainable option based on their context and use eco-certified streaming and venue practices wherever possible.
Can participating cinemas and partners access tools to measure their carbon footprint?
Yes. Starting in the 2025/2026 edition, the European Film Academy will share a basic sustainability reporting form to help partners estimate the emissions associated with their screenings, travel, and promotional activities. Participation in this tracking is optional but encouraged. The link to the form will be provided in September 2025.
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?
Yes. 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.
