Brussels, (Unib Rashid) — Spanish director Eva Libertad’s film Deaf has won the 2026 LUX Audience Award, after receiving more than 50% of the combined votes from European citizens and Members of the European Parliament.

A total of five films were shortlisted for the award. Alongside Deaf, the finalists included Christy by Irish director Brendan Canty; It Was Just an Accident by Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, a recipient of the Sakharov Prize; Love Me Tender by French director Anna Cazenave Cambet; and Sentimental Value by Norwegian director Joachim Trier.

According to the European Parliament, the winner was selected through a unique voting system in which both the public and Members of Parliament each contributed 50% to the final score via the LUX Audience Award platform. Since 2007, the award has aimed to support the distribution of European films across the continent.

The winner of the 2026 Lux Audience Award is "Deaf", a hymn to diversity and inclusion. It's a film that challenges us to listen differently and to build a Europe where no one is left unheard.
Watch the extracts of the ceremony in Brussels at @Europarl_ENhttps://t.co/wIW9FbjH0E pic.twitter.com/B3VQskqmwJ

— European Parliament Audiovisual Service (@europarlAV) April 14, 2026

All shortlisted films are subtitled in 24 official EU languages. This year, for the first time, the films also include sign language subtitles for deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences, reflecting the Parliament’s commitment to inclusivity.

The award is jointly organized by the European Parliament, the European Film Academy, the European Commission, and the Europa Cinemas network, with the goal of strengthening cultural ties and bridging the gap between people and politics across Europe.

Deaf, a drama film, tells the story of a deaf mother expecting a child with her hearing partner. As childbirth approaches, she becomes increasingly anxious about her ability to communicate with her daughter and raise her in a world not designed for people like her.