Introduction to the European Film Awards
The European Film Academy has announced that Irish-Scottish filmmaker Mark Cousins will curate the 38th European Film Awards ceremony. This ceremony will be a unique event, creating a "live film essay" alongside a creative team that includes film composer Dascha Dauenhauer and director Robert Lehniger.
A New Approach to the Ceremony
The announcement is part of the European Film Academy’s attempt to reposition and expand the presence of awards and events focused on European cinema within the broader awards season. The 38th ceremony will take place on January 17, 2026, in the House of World Cultures in Berlin, marking a change from the traditional December date. This change means the EFA ceremony will now take place immediately after the Golden Globes and during the Oscar nomination voting period.
Redesigning the Event
As part of the redesign, the European Film Academy aims to move away from generic scripts dominated by award categories and acceptance speeches. Instead, the event will focus on the question "Why do we love cinema?" and create an experience that celebrates European cinema in a more idiosyncratic form. The European Film Awards are a joint production of the European Film Academy and its in-house production department, European Film Academy Productions, with Jürgen Biesinger as the show’s main producer.
The Creative Team
Mark Cousins is best known for his documentaries, including "The Story of Film: An Odyssey" and "Women Make Film: A New Road Movie Through Cinema." His film "The March on Rome" was nominated for Best European Documentary at the 35th European Film Awards, and his last work, "A Sudden Glimpse of Deeper Things," won the Crystal Globe for best film in Carlsbad in 2024. Cousins co-chaired a series of innovative staged film events with Tilda Swinton and launched the 8 1/2 Foundation, which aims to introduce children to the world of cinema.
Collaborators
Dascha Dauenhauer, a Moscow-born and Berlin-based composer, won a European Film Prize for her original music "Berlin Alexanderplatz" and recently received her second German Film Prize for her film music for "Islands." Her other works include scores for "Evolution," "Golda," and "Tatami." Robert Lehniger, a German-born theater director and video artist, has worked across the German, Swiss, and Austrian theater landscape, using digital media in combination with stage performances to bridge the gap between theater and cinema.
The Event Details
The ceremony’s new date and approach are intended to make the event more significant and engaging. Matthijs Wouter Knol, Director of the European Film Academy, expressed excitement about working with Cousins, Dauenhauer, and Lehniger to create an event that celebrates European cinema in a unique way. On October 14, a shortlist of 67 films eligible for nomination for the 2026 awards ceremony was announced, and the main nominations will be announced on November 18th during the 22nd Seville European Film Festival in Spain.
Conclusion
The 38th European Film Awards ceremony promises to be an exciting and innovative event, celebrating the best of European cinema. With Mark Cousins at the helm and a talented creative team, the ceremony is sure to be a memorable experience. As the European Film Academy continues to reposition and expand its presence in the awards season, this event is an important step in showcasing the diversity and richness of European cinema.
