As Ireland’s largest film festival and this country’s official representative at the European Film Academy Short Film Award, Cork International Film Festival takes great pride in showcasing the best and latest films from Europe.
As part of our bite-sized CIFF European Film Weekend running, 24th – 26th January, we are delighted to partner with the European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland to present FREE films shortlisted for the LUX Audience Award 2025. The LUX Audience Award aims to strengthen ties between politics and the people by inviting European audiences to become active protagonists and rate their favourite films.
An integral part of these screenings is voting for your favourite film in the largest audience award in the world.
We invite you to rate the LUX Audience Award films you have watched: five stars ‘excellent’ to one star ‘poor’. Rate by April 2025 and don’t miss the chance to win a range of exciting prizes, including a trip to the European Parliament to attend the LUX Award Ceremony in April 2025 and meet the directors and film crews of the nominees.
LUX Audience Award Programme at Cork International Film Festival, 24th – 26th January 2025
All films available to book in January
Animal
Directed by Sofia Exarchou
Greece, Austria, Romania, Cyprus, Bulgaria | 2023 | 116 min | Drama
Under the hot Greek sun, the animateurs at an all-inclusive island resort prepare for the busy touristic season. Kalia is the leader of the pack. Paper decors, glossy costumes and dance shows fill the stage. As summer intensifies and the work pressure builds up, their nights become violent and Kalia’s struggle is revealed in the darkness. But when the spotlights turn on again, the show must go on.
Dahomey
Directed by Mati Diop
France, Senegal, Benin | 2024 | 67 min | Documentary
November 2021. 26 royal treasures of the Kingdom of Dahomey are about to leave Paris to return to their country of origin, the present-day Republic of Benin. Along with thousands of others, these artefacts were plundered by French colonial troops in 1892. But what attitude to adopt to these ancestors’ homecoming in a country that had to forge ahead in their absence? The debate rages among students at the University of Abomey-Calavi.
Flow
Directed by Gints Zilbalodis
Latvia, France, Belgium | 2024 | 85 min | Animation
The world seems to be coming to an end, teeming with the vestiges of a human presence. Cat is a solitary animal, but as its home is devastated by a great flood, he finds refuge on a boat populated by various species, and will have to team up with them despite their differences. In the lonesome boat sailing through mystical overflowed landscapes, they navigate the challenges and dangers of adapting to this new world.
Intercepted
Directed by Oksana Karpovych
Canada, France, Ukraine | 2024 | 95 min | Documentary
Sound and image stare each other in the face as Intercepted contrasts quiet compositions of everyday life of Ukrainians since the full-scale invasion with intercepted phone conversations between Russian soldiers and their families.
Julie Keeps Quiet
Directed by Leonardo van Dijl
Belgium, Sweden | 2024 | 100 min | Drama
As the star player at an elite tennis academy, Julie’s life revolves around the game she loves. When her coach falls under investigation and is suddenly suspended, all of the club’s players are encouraged to speak up. But Julie decides to keep quiet…
An integral part of these screenings is rating your favourite film. When you have watched the film at the cinema, you will automatically receive an email asking you to rate the LUX Audience Award films you have watched: five stars ‘excellent’ to one star ‘poor’.
LUX – The European Audience Film Award was introduced in 2020 and is presented every year by the European Parliament and the European Film Academy, in partnership with the European Commission and Europa Cinemas. The long list of films in contention is drawn from all the Fiction and Documentary nominations put forward to the EFA Awards. Five of those films were selected at the EFA Awards, and are shortlisted for the LUX Audience Award 2025. For more information on the LUX Audience Award visit here.
Proudly presented by Cork International Film Festival in partnership with the European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland.
