The 37th European Film Awards have been handed out, and Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Pérez has dominated the night, winning multiple awards. As per the sources of Leaders, the ceremony, held in Switzerland this year, celebrated the best of European cinema, with Emilia Pérez taking home five awards, including Best European Film, Best Director, and Best Screenwriter for Audiard. The film also won Best Editing and Best European Actress for Karla Sofía Gascón, who delivered a powerful performance in the film.
Gascón’s win is particularly significant as she became the first transgender actress to claim the Palme d’Or earlier this year, and her role in Emilia Pérez has earned widespread acclaim. The film itself, a unique blend of Mexican gangster drama, trans themes, and musical numbers, has been hailed as one of the year’s standout films. However, some critics noted the recurring pattern of one film sweeping the majority of awards, which raises questions about the diversity of films celebrated at the event.
In other categories, Abou Sangare won Best European Actor for his compelling performance in Souleymane’s Story, while No Other Land, a documentary about forced displacement, claimed Best European Documentary. Flow, an animated fantasy from Latvia, took home Best European Animated Film, and The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent won Best European Short Film.
According to the reports of Leaders sources, the evening also featured special honors, with Wim Wenders receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award and Isabella Rossellini being recognized for her European Achievement in Cinema. The ceremony had its ups and downs, with some awkward moments in hosting and production, but overall, it was an event that highlighted the diversity and creativity of European filmmakers.
While the European Film Awards continue to celebrate exceptional cinema, there’s room for improvement in how the ceremony is presented, perhaps with more polish and a bit less filler, to rival the sleekness of Hollywood’s award shows.
