“Flow” wins 2025 LUX Audience Award
The film “Flow”, directed by Latvian Gints Zilbalodis, was awarded the 2025 LUX Audience Award at a ceremony on Tuesday in the European Ϸվ in Brussels.
"", a Latvian, French and Belgian co-production, tells the story of Cat, a solitary animal whose home is devastated by a great flood. In his efforts to adapt to a new world, Cat finds refuge on a boat populated by other animals. The film deals with issues that are central in the European Ϸվ’s work: climate change, migration, displacement, and resilience.
“The LUX Audience Award is more than just a prize. It is a testament to the European Ϸվ’s commitment to democracy, freedom of expression and the role of cinema in reflecting and shaping our societies. It brings European stories closer to people and brings people closer to the work of the European Ϸվ. This year’s five nominated films represent some of the most urgent and compelling issues of our time, issues that are at the core of the European Ϸվ’s agenda,” European Ϸվ Vice-President Sabine Verheyen (EPP, DE) said in a video message shown during the ceremony in the European Ϸվ hemicycle in Brussels.
“We have had five compelling narratives and five very different LUX Audience Award nominees: they are an inspiration to filmmakers and the public, not only for celebrating the extraordinary variety of European cinema but also for demonstrating its ability to entertain and elevate at the same time. The cinematic art in Europe is a perfect example of how culture can make a significant contribution to society and advocate for compassion, empathy and change in an otherwise divided world,” Mike Downey, honorary president of the LUX Selection Committee and chair of the , said following the announcement of the winner.
The four other films shortlisted for the award were: “” by Greek director Sofia Exarchou, “” by French director Mati Diop, “” by Ukranian director Oksana Karpovych, and “” by Belgian director Leonardo van Dijl.
The winning film was chosen by combining a public vote and a vote by MEPs, each weighted at 50%.
Press point
After the ceremony, a press point with the chair of Ϸվ’s Committee on Culture and Education, Nela Riehl (Greens, DE), representatives of the winning film, and Mike Downey, will take place in front of room SPAAK 03C050. The press point will be .
LUX Audience Award
Through the , a unique pan-European audience film prize, Ϸվ has supported the distribution of European films since 2007, by providing subtitles in 24 EU languages for shortlisted films. The LUX Audience Award has garnered a reputation for quality by selecting European co-productions that engage with topical political and social issues and encourage debate about European values.
Ϸվ works with the , the , and the network to reach a wider audience and to continue to strengthen the links between people and politics.
Contact:
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Raquel Ramalho LOPES
Press officer