The European Parliament, together with EU citizens and MEPs, has awarded the 2026 LUX Audience Award to Spanish director Eva Libertad for her film Deaf. The prize reflects the Parliament’s ongoing effort to promote European culture while encouraging debate on social issues through cinema.
European Parliament Vice-President Sabine Verheyen highlighted the importance of the award, stating that the winning film offers a powerful and authentic portrayal of a deaf woman’s experience of motherhood in a society not designed for her needs. She underlined that such films help MEPs and citizens better understand diversity and inclusion, aligning with the Parliament’s broader policy priorities.
Director Eva Libertad said the recognition could help raise awareness about the deaf community and promote policies that improve inclusion and living conditions across Europe. She expressed hope that diversity would increasingly be seen as a strength rather than a challenge.
The award winner was selected through a combined vote by EU citizens and Members of the European Parliament, each accounting for 50% of the final result. Other shortlisted films included works by Brendan Canty, Jafar Panahi, Anna Cazenave Cambet and Joachim Trier.
The LUX Audience Award, established by the European Parliament, supports the distribution of European films and ensures accessibility through subtitles in all EU languages, including for the deaf and hard of hearing. Through this initiative, MEPs aim to strengthen cultural exchange, foster inclusion, and connect European citizens more closely with EU values and policymaking.
