LUX – The European Audience Film Award is presented every year by the European Parliament and the European Film Academy, in partnership with the European Commission and Europa Cinemas. A symbol of the European Parliament’s commitment to culture, the Lux award continues to build cultural bridges across Europe, by putting the spotlight on films that go to the heart of the European public debate.

The award aims to strengthen ties between politics and citizens, by inviting European audiences to become active protagonists and cast their vote for their favourite films.

Close” by Belgian director Lukas Dhont won the 2023 LUX European Audience Film Award on Tuesday, in a ceremony in the European Parliament’s hemicycle in Brussels. The film, co-produced by Belgium, France and Netherlands, tells the story of an intense friendship between two thirteen-year old boys Leo and Remi. When their friendship is suddenly disrupted, Leo approaches Sophie, Remi’s mother, struggling to understand what has happened. “Close” is a film about friendship and responsibility.

The other four films shortlisted for the award were:&nbsp;“Alcarràs”&nbsp;by Spanish director Carla Simón,&nbsp;“Burning Days”&nbsp;by Turkish director Emin Alper,&nbsp;“Will-o'-the-Wisp”&nbsp;by Portugese director João Pedro Rodrigues and&nbsp;“Triangle of Sadness”&nbsp;by Swedish director Ruben Östlund.

Lux award 2023

LUX Audience Award 2023 ceremony: extracts from the ceremony and statement by the winner, Lukas Dhont, director of "Close"

Press conference on LUX European Audience Film Award 2023

LUX Audience Award 2023 ceremony: Final speech by the LUX 2023 Audience Award winner Closing music: Trio Jenlis ("Love Theme" - Nuovo Cinema Paradiso, Ennio Morricone)

LUX Audience Award 2023 ceremony: Awarding of trophies to the 4 finalists by 4 citizens in the presence of Sabine VERHEYEN, Chair of CULT Committee and family photo

LUX Audience Award 2023 ceremony: Lux Award history, presentation of the Lux trophy, announcement of the winner by Evelyn REGNER, Vice-President of the European Parliament, winner receives the trophy, and photo with Evelyn REGNER and Sabine VERHEYEN

LUX Audience Award 2023 ceremony: announcement of the 5 finalists by the moderators, trailers of the movies and speeches by the 5 finalists

LUX Audience Award 2023 ceremony: speech by Evelyn REGNER, Vice-President of the European Parliament, Moderator's intermezzo, and speech by Sabine VERHEYEN, Chair of CULT Committee

LUX European Audience Film Award 2023 Ceremony

LUX Audience Award 2023 ceremony: Arrival of Roberta METSOLA, EP President and of the movie representatives in the hemicycle; opening speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

LUX European Audience Film Award 2023 - Arrival of guests

LUX European Audience Film Award 2023 - Film Academy Youth Seminar

Press conference by Evelyn REGNER (S&D, AT), EP Vice-president and the LUX audience award winner Lukas DHONT, Director and Angelo THIJSSENS, co-writer for "Close" and by Michael DOWNEY: chair of EFA, Honorary Member of LUX, President of the Selection

LUX – The European Audience Film Award 2023

LUX European Audience Film Award 2023 - Interviews

Press Seminar LUX Audience Award 2023

LUX Audience Award 2023 - Presentation of the movie ' Close ' - Talk with Lukas Dhont at the Vendôme cinema

LUX Audience Award 2023 - Presentation of the movie ' Close ' - Evelyne REGNER meets with Lukas DHONT

LUX European Audience Film Award 2023 - Screening - Burning Days

LUX European Audience Film Award 2023 - Screening - Will-o'-the-Wisp

LUX European Audience Film Award 2023 - Screening - Alcarras

LUX Audience Award 2023 - Statements by finalists: João Pedro Rodrigues, director of “Will-o'-the-Wisp”

LUX Audience Award 2023 - Statements by finalists: Sunnyi Melles, actress from “Triangle of Sadness”

LUX Audience Award 2023 - Statements by finalists: Emin Alper, director of “Burning Days”

LUX Audience Award 2023 - Statements by finalists: Lukas Dhont director of "Close"

LUX Audience Award 2023: statement by Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE), Chair of the EP Committee on Culture and Education

LUX Audience Award 2023 - announcement of the nominated films: extracts from the European Film Awards Ceremony (Reykjavík, Iceland - 10/12)

Clip: LUX Audience Award 2023 - Presentation of the nominated films