Jacques Audiard’s captivating drama, Emilia Pérez, reigned supreme at the European Film Awards in Lucerne, Switzerland, snatching both the coveted Best Film and Best Director accolades. Explore the complete list of victors below.
With four wins out of its four nominations, the Netflix crime drama demonstrated undeniable dominance. Entering the evening tied with Pedro Almodovar’s The Room Next Door for the most nods, Emilia Pérez also secured Best Actress for Karla Sofia Gascón and Best Screenplay.
Other standouts of the evening included filmmaker gints zilbalodis, whose animated gem Flow clinched Best Animated Feature, and the poignant Palestinian-Israeli film no Other Land, which took home the prestigious Best Documentary prize.
This resounding triumph for audiard and the Emilia Pérez team serves as a powerful endorsement as thay embark on the intense awards season ahead.Deemed a critically important predictor of success in US awards ceremonies by the wider film community,the European Film Awards are voted on by the 5,000 members of the Berlin-based European Film Academy.
Last year’s Best European Film winner, Anatomy of a Fall, garnered five Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actress (Sandra Hüller), with director Justine Triet and co-writer Arthur Harari securing the Academy Award for Best Screenplay.
The Lucerne ceremony marked the final December presentation of the awards, with the event shifting to mid-January starting with the 38th edition in 2026. this strategic shift aims to align the European Film Awards more prominently within the broader awards season discussion on both sides of the atlantic.
2024 European Film Awards Winners
european Film
EMILIA PÉREZ by Jacques Audiard
European Director
Jacques Audiard for EMILIA PÉREZ
European Screenwriter
Jacques Audiard for EMILIA PÉREZ
European Actress
Karla Sofía Gascón in EMILIA PÉREZ
European Actor
Abou Sangare in SOULEYMANE’S STORY
Best Documentary
NO OTHER LAND (Palestine, Norway) – documentary film, directed by Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Basel Adra & Hamdan Ballal, produced by Fabien Greenberg, Bård Kjøge Rønning, Yuval Abraham, Basel Adra, Rachel Szor & Hamdan Ballal
European Discovery – Prix FIPRESCI
Armand, directed by Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel
Young Audience Award
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin (Norway), directed by Benjamin Ree, produced by Ingvil Giske
European Animated Feature Film
FLOW directed by Gints Zilbalodis (Latvia, France, Belgium)
European Cinematography
The Substance (Benjamin Kračun)
European Editing
Emilia Pérez (Juliette Welfling)
European Production Design
The Girl With the Needle (Jagna Dobesz)
European Costume Design
The Devil’s Bath (Tanja Hausner)
European Make-up & hair
When the Light Breaks (Evalotte Oosterop)
European Original Score:
the Girl With the Needle (Frederikke hoffmeier)
European Sound
Souleymane’s Story (Marc-Olivier Brullé, Pierre Bariaud, Charlotte Butrak, Samuel Aïchoun, rodrigo Diaz)
European Visual Effects
THE SUBSTANCE (Bryan Jones, Pierre Procoudine-Gorsky, Chervin Shafaghi, Guillaume Le Gouez)
European Short Film
THE MAN WHO COULD NOT REMAIN SILENT directed by Nebojša Slijepčević (Croatia, France, Bulgaria, Slovenia)
European Achievement in World Cinema
Isabella Rossellini
How does Karla Sofia Gascón’s performance in *Emilia Pérez* compare to other recent Best Actress winners?
Interview Between Time.News Editor and Film Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome to another edition of our exclusive interviews section! Today, we’re thrilled to have with us a film expert who has been closely following the recent European Film Awards. Welcome!
Film Expert: thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be hear, especially after such an exciting event.
Editor: Absolutely! Let’s dive right in. Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Pérez truly stole the show this year, winning both best Film and Best Director. What do you think made this film resonate so powerfully with the jury?
Expert: Emilia Pérez is a captivating narrative that blends intense drama with sharp social commentary. Audiard has a unique way of portraying complex characters and intricate relationships, which not only engages audiences but also invites them to reflect on societal issues. The film’s strong performances and its thematic depth likely played a significant role in its recognition this year.
Editor: It certainly seems to have struck a chord! With four wins out of four nominations, how does this performance compare with past winners?
Expert: It’s quite a remarkable feat! historically, few films have managed to achieve such a clean sweep at the European Film Awards. This level of dominance underscores Emilia Pérez’s quality and the jury’s strong consensus regarding its excellence across multiple facets, like directing and acting. It sets a high bar for future contenders.
Editor: Speaking of acting, Karla Sofia Gascón won best Actress for her role in this film. What elements of her performance stood out?
Expert: Gascón delivered a powerful performance,showcasing a range of raw emotions that brought her character to life. The subtlety she exhibited allowed the audience to connect deeply with her journey. Moreover, her ability to navigate the complexities of her role, often in high-stakes situations, left a lasting impression. It’s no surprise she took home the award!
Editor: You mentioned earlier that Emilia Pérez tied with Pedro Almodóvar’s The Room Next Door for the most nominations. Could you shed some light on how these two films are comparable despite their different storytelling styles?
Expert: certainly! While Audiard’s work is steeped in crime and dramatic tension, Almodóvar’s The Room Next Door often explores emotional intricacies through a richly stylized lens. Both directors are known for their distinct storytelling techniques and have a knack for character development,making it intriguing to see how audiences react to their different approaches.The competition between the two undoubtedly highlights the diversity of cinema in Europe.
Editor: With the ceremony showcasing such talent and creativity, what trends do you foresee emerging in European cinema following this event?
Expert: We’re likely to see a continued inclination towards character-driven narratives that address social issues. Films that project authenticity and raw emotion frequently enough resonate well with both audiences and critics alike. Additionally, there may be an increase in collaborations with streaming platforms like netflix, as we saw with Emilia Pérez, which can help to reach a wider audience.
Editor: It will be captivating to watch how these dynamics unfold! Before we wrap up, do you have any predictions for future award ceremonies based on what we’ve seen at this year’s European Film Awards?
Expert: I think we should keep an eye out for emerging filmmakers who are blending genres and pushing narrative boundaries.This trend of innovation might lead to some unexpected nominations and wins in future ceremonies. additionally, a rising focus on diverse storytelling could result in a wider variety of films being recognized.
Editor: Thank you so much for sharing your insights with us today! It’s always a pleasure to dive deep into these discussions, especially when it comes to celebrating remarkable talent in film.
Expert: Thank you for having me! I look forward to seeing how these developments unfold in the exciting world of cinema.