A Spanish drama about a deaf woman expecting a child with her hearing partner won the 2026 edition of the LUX Audience Award.
Sorda (Deaf), written and directed by Eva Libertad, explores the woman’s fears about motherhood and her ability to communicate and interact with her daughter. These concerns mount as she confronts the reality of raising a baby in a world that offers her little accessibility.
“Director Eva Libertad gives us an unforgettable window into the life of a deaf woman navigating motherhood in a world not built for her. Led by a stunning performance from deaf actress Miriam Garlo, the film challenges us to listen differently and to build a Europe where no one is left unheard,” said European Parliament vice-president Sabine Verheyen at the awards ceremony, which was held in Brussels last Tuesday.
Libertad, who was present at the ceremony, said she hoped the award will help to focus on the deaf community and the diversity of people in Europe, and to promote inclusion policies that improve their living conditions.
“I am also confident that it will contribute to society changing its view of diversity, that it will no longer be seen as a problem and that it will be perceived as human wealth,” the director said.
Nominated films
Sorda was among five short-listed films in the competition, which included the Oscar-nominated films It Was Just An Accident by Iranian director Jafar Panahi and Sentimental Value by Norwegian director Joachim Trier, together with Christy by Irish director Brendan Canty and Love Me Tender by French director Anna Cazenave Cambet.
It Was Just An Accident explores political repression in Iran through the story of a night driver who kills a dog. Stranded, he goes to a garage, where his rescuer believes him to be the prison officer who tortured him. This film was made without official filming authorisation from the Iranian authorities. Its director, activist Panahi, was awarded the European Parliament Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, the Sakharov Prize, in 2012.
Love Me Tender is adapted from Constance Debré’s book about a 40-year-old woman who loses custody of her son after telling her ex-husband that she has romantic relationships with women. This fact is used against her in court, leading the judge to grant the father full custody. The film centres on the woman’s fight to remain a mother and a free woman.
Sentimental Value explores the complexities of family dynamics. Two sisters are reunited with their father, a once-renowned director trying to make a comeback film. After one of his daughters turns down a role in the film, he gives it to an eager young Hollywood actor. Suddenly, the already complicated family relationship gains an additional element, with the arrival of the American star.
The five films were chosen by a panel of film professionals from across EU member states.
“The film challenges us to listen differently”
The winner, Sorda, was chosen by citizens across Europe, as well as members of the European Parliament, who voted for their favourite film on the LUX Audience Award rating platform. Their respective votes each counted for 50% of the films’ final scores.
Maltese audiences could also watch the films at Spazju Kreattiv and vote for them in the run-up to the awards ceremony. Voting was open until April 12.
‘Bringing European cinema closer to the people’
“Cinema is part of who we are as Europeans. These films embody the European Parliament’s commitment to defending democracy, freedom and diversity, while addressing the challenges faced by our societies, from inclusion and human rights to young people’s mental health,” European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said when the shortlisted films were unveiled at the European Parliament earlier this year.
“The LUX Audience Award is about bringing European cinema closer to people, wherever they live, and giving them a chance to see Europe from a different perspective.”
Through the event, the European Parliament has been supporting the distribution of European films since 2007, providing subtitles in 24 EU languages for all shortlisted films.
This year, for the first time, and keeping with the EU Parliament’s commitment to accessibility, all shortlisted films had subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.
The LUX Audience Award is organised by the European Parliament and the European Film Academy, in partnership with the European Commission and the Europa Cinemas network.
