EFP European Film Promotion unveils the 20 nominated films for the 2026 Latin American Critics’ Award for European Films. Now in its third edition, the initiative continues to strengthen the visibility of European cinema across Latin America.
The nominated films were submitted by national film promotion institutes from across Europe - EFP’s member organisations. The selection includes outstanding titles that celebrated their world premieres at leading festivals such as Cannes, Venice, Berlin, Sundance, Toronto, Locarno, San Sebastián and Tallinn, underlining their quality and the artistic diversity of contemporary European filmmaking. From intimate character studies and socially resonant dramas to political documentaries, coming-of-age stories and distinctive cinematic visions, the following films make up this year’s competition lineup:
17 by Kosara Mitić (North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia); Blum: Masters of Their Own Destiny by Jasmila Žbanić (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Egghead Republic by Pella Kågerman and Hugo Lilja (Sweden), Fantasy by Kukla (Slovenia, North Macedonia), Father by Tereza Nvotová (Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland), Frank & Louis by Petra Volpe (Switzerland, United Kingdom), Franz by Agnieszka Holland (Czech Republic, Germany, Poland), God Will Not Help by Hana Jušić (Croatia, Italy, Romania, Greece, France, Slovenia), Hold Onto Me by Myrsini Aristidou (Cyprus, Denmark, Greece), How to Divorce During the War? by Andrius Blaževičius (Lithuania, Luxembourg, Ireland, Czech Republic), Hungarian Wedding by Csaba Káel (Hungary), Los Domingos by Alauda Ruíz de Arzúa (Spain, France), Man of the House by Andamion Murataj (Albania, Austria, Italy, Kosovo, Croatia), Milk Teeth by Mihai Mincan (Romania, France, Denmark, Greece, Bulgaria), Mo Papa by Eeva Mägi (Estonia), Reedland by Sven Bresser (Netherlands, Belgium), Sound of Falling by Mascha Schilinski (Germany), The Love That Remains by Hlynur Pálmason (Iceland, Denmark, France, Sweden), To Hold a Mountain by Biljana Tutorov and Petar Glomazić (Serbia, France, Montenegro, Slovenia, Croatia), and Young Mothers by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne (Belgium, France).
A jury of 35 members from the Jury Pool of renowned film critics and journalists from 13 Latin American countries will select three finalists from 20 nominated films before choosing the final winning film. The award ceremony will take place at the Guadalajara International Film Festival (FICG) in mid-April 2026.
Launched in 2024, the Latin American Critics’ Award recognises the essential role of film critics and cultural journalists in championing arthouse cinema and fostering cross-cultural dialogue. At the same time, the initiative strengthens professional connections between Europe and Latin America and supports the international circulation of European films. Previous winners were Deaf by Eva Libertad (2025) and The Teachersʼ Lounge by İlker Çatak (2024).
The Latin American Critics’ Award is organised in cooperation with the Guadalajara International Film Festival and is made possible through the support of Creative Europe – the MEDIA Programme of the European Union – and the participating national film institutes. Media partners are Cineuropa and LatAm cinema.
About the Guadalajara International Film Festival (FICG)
The Guadalajara International Film Festival has played a key role in the reinvention and international positioning of Mexican cinema. Today, it stands as one of the most important film events in Latin America, bringing together filmmakers, industry professionals and audiences from across the region. With its strong programme and professional platform, FICG continues to foster cinematic exchange and audience development throughout the Ibero-American world.
