Eligibility
12.1
Eligible are feature-length animation, documentary or fiction films intended for theatrical release which meet the general eligibility criteria (see 3) and must be suitable and mainly recommended for young people, considering age appropriateness for 12-year-olds.
12.2
Furthermore, eligible films must fulfil at least one of the following criteria:
- To have been selected for at least one major festival (see list of festivals)
- To have been theatrically released in at least two countries or sold for such release
The Academy board has the right to refrain from this rule in exceptional cases.
Nomination and election of the winner
12.3
A committee of three film professionals and four representatives of the young audience, each from a different country, nominates three films.
12.4
The three nominated films are presented to young audiences (12+) in cinemas across Europe as part of the European Award Season, where they act as jurors and vote for the winner. The screenings are organised as follows:
- One non-commercial educational screening per film is organised by our cultural partner network in each partnering city during the European Award Season or during the Concluding Jury Event on 16 January 2027, the day of the European Film Awards.
- Additional commercial theatrical screenings in partner cinemas during the European Award Season (to be negotiated with local distributors in detail).
12.5
In order to determine the winning film, young audiences will rate each nominated film via a QR code after each screening. The results will then be tabulated and balanced.
12.6
The award EUROPEAN YOUNG AUDIENCE AWARD is presented to the European director(s) (see 3) of a feature-length animation, documentary or fiction film.
