The European Film Academy has changed its voting system to allow documentaries and animated films to qualify for the top honor of the European Film Prize, the best European film.
The change, announced on Tuesday, will take effect immediately from the 37th European Film Awards, which will be held in Lucerne, Switzerland, on December 7.
“The aim of this change is to better reflect the fact that documentaries and animated films are an essential part of European film culture, adding much to its great diversity,” the Academy said in a statement. “Both documentaries and animated films come in myriad genres, narrative traditions and narrative forms, for any audience.”
Feature-length documentaries and animated films will be able to compete in the respective categories of European documentary and European animated feature, as well as for the best European film.
“The decision of the governing board of the European Film Academy reflects the members' long-standing desire to offer all feature films fairer and more equitable opportunities to compete for this recognition,” said Academy CEO Matthijs Wouter Knol. “The decision reflects a changing perception in our industry about the value of all films made. I am proud and grateful that the European Film Academy, in a process of increasing transparency and equality for all those working in European cinema, has taken this step and embraces this change.”
Among the films that could benefit from this change in rules is Mati Diop's documentary, winner of the Berlin Film Festival Dahomey; the political document No other landanother Berlin festival winner, examining Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank; Animated film by Gints Zilbalodis Flowwinner at Annecy and Latvia's official candidate for the 2025 Oscars; AND Savagesthe latest claymation feature from Oscar-nominated Swiss director Claude Barras (My life as a courgette).