'Quo Vadis Aida?' wins the LUX Audience Award 2022

"This film is a powerful call for justice to the mothers and women of Srebrenica, who witnessed the atrocious murder of more than 8,000 of their loved ones." At the ceremony in Strasbourg, President Metsola stated that such atrocities and a crime against humanity should never be forgotten.

"The LUX Audience Award creates bridges between our political work, and the creative work by filmmakers in Europe. LUX films reflect through art the sentiments of the fight for civil right, human rights, justice and freedom," she said.

Jasmila Zbanic, the director, accepted the award. "It was shocking to me that Europeans allowed war in Ukraine. I appeal to you all to find a solution to the conflict in Ukraine."

Srebrenica massacre survivor and president of Mothers of Srebrenica Association Munira Subasic also addressed MEPs. She said: "In Ukraine, mother are crying, looking after the bones of their children. Please stop the war in Ukraine."

Two other films were shortlisted for the award: Flee, directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen in Denmark, and Great Freedom, directed by Sebastian Meise in Austria.

Learn more about the nominees for the LUX Audience Award

The public vote combined with the vote of MEPs was used to select the winning film. Each vote was weighed at half-off. MEPs were allowed to vote up until 7 June, while the audience vote was open through 25 May.

The winning film

Bosnia and Herzegovina produced Quo vadis Aida? by Jasmila Zbanic (Bosnia and Herzegovina), France, Poland Norway, Germany and Romania. Aida was a translator for peacekeeping forces during the summer 1995 in Srebrenica. Her family is one of the thousands of civilians who seek refuge in the UN camp. Aida discovers that her family and friends are facing a horrible fate. But can Aida stop it?

Press conference and other related events

After the ceremony on EP Live and EbS , you can view the press point with the winners, representatives from the European Film Academy and Vice-President Evelyn Regner of the European Parliament.

Watch the video recording of the press seminar that was held on Tuesday 7 June with MEPs, representatives of the film industry and other media.

Background

The European Parliament and the European Film Academy have awarded the LUX European Audience Film Awards since 2020.

Since 2007, Parliament, through its film prize has supported the distribution of European films by providing subtitles for films in final contention in 24 EU languages.

The LUX Award also includes partners from the European Commission as well as the Europa Cinemas Network.

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