The European Film Academy has announced a list of finalist films, including European feature-length production, short films, fiction, documentary, and animation, which are vying for nominations for the annual awards scheduled to be held on January 17 in Berlin.
Among the contenders for European fiction feature films are “O Riso e a Faca” by Pedro Pinho, featuring Sérgio Coragem, Cléo Diára, and Jonathan Guilherme, which is set to premiere in cinemas on the 30th, and “On Falling” by Laura Carreira, starring Joana Santos.
“O Riso e a Faca” is Pedro Pinho’s second fiction feature film, which premiered in May at the Cannes Film Festival in France, earning actress Cléo Diára an acting award.
“On Falling” is the debut fiction feature by Laura Carreira, filmed in Scotland where the director resides. It stars Joana Santos as Aurora, a young Portuguese immigrant engaged in dehumanizing and underpaid work, feeling alienated, lonely, and unable to socialize.
Also contending are two minority Portuguese co-productions: “Era uma vez em Gaza” by Palestinian directors Tarzan and Arab Nasser, and “Tardes de Solidão” by Spanish director Albert Serra.
For the Vimeo Best Short Film award, the nominees include “Sol Menor” by André Silva Santos and “La Durmiente” by Maria Inês Gonçalves.
“Sol Menor” marks the fiction debut for director André Silva Santos and follows a music teacher juggling flute lessons and mourning his wife’s death, facing a dilemma after a visit from his brother.
The film was recognized last summer at the Curtas Vila do Conde festival and is qualified for the selection process for the 2026 Oscars nominations.
“La Durmiente” is also a debut work by Maria Inês Gonçalves, filmed at the Monastery of Sancti Spiritus in Spain, where Beatriz of Portugal is buried.
“The film addresses the story of this pivotal figure in the Portuguese dynastic crisis of 1383, through a group of seven children” portraying fragments of her life, according to the synopsis.
The nominees for these awards will be announced in phases, on October 31, November 18, and 26, covering categories such as European Film, Directing, Documentary, Animated Feature Film, European Actress, European Actor, Screenplay, Cinematography, Casting Direction, or the Discovery Award, conferred by the film critics federation.
The ceremony for the 38th edition of the awards by the European Film Academy is set for January 17 in Berlin.
