European Film Awards Kick Off with Jafar Panahi’s Message and Honors for ‘Arco’ and ‘Sirāt’ – Live Updates
Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi opened the 38th European Film Awards in Berlin on Saturday with a heartfelt address urging global action against the ongoing violence in Iran, which he described as “the unprecedented massacre” of its citizens.
His remarks came amid a severe crackdown by Iran’s hardline leadership on widespread protests that have reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 3,000 demonstrators and the arrest of 18,000 others. Panahi cited an alarming figure of 12,000 fatalities in his speech.
“This is not just the pain of one country if the world does not respond to this blatant violence today. Not only Iran but the entire world is at risk. Violence left unanswered becomes normalized and when it becomes normalized, it’s spread becomes contagious,” he stated.
“When the truth is crushed in one place, freedom suffocates everywhere. Then no one is safe. Anywhere in the world, not in Iran, not in Europe, not in America… that is precisely why today, as filmmakers and artists, if we are disappointed with politicians, we must at least refuse to remain silent because silence in a time of crime is not neutrality; silence is participation in darkness.”
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Panahi’s film, It Was Just An Accident, is among the leading contenders at this year’s European Film Awards, now held in January to align with the awards season.
Norwegian director Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value, a Cannes Grand Prix winner, leads the nominations for best film, director, and screenplay. Co-stars Renate Reinsve and Stellan Skarsgård are nominated for best actress and actor, respectively.
Other notable contenders include Oliver Laxe’s Morocco-set drama Sirāt, garnering four nominations, and the debut film Sound of Falling by Mascha Schilinski, both of which also received three nominations alongside Panahi’s work.
In the evening’s first major announcement, Arco, directed by Ugo Bienvenu, secured the award for Best European Animated Feature Film.
This win adds to the accolades for Arco, produced by Natalie Portman and Sophie Mas, which has also earned the Best Film award at Annecy and is long-listed for the BAFTA Best Animated Film.
Among other early award announcements, Oliver Laxe’s Sirāt received the title of Best European Production Designer.
2026 European Film Awards Winners:
Best European Animated Feature Film
Arco (France)
Directed by Ugo Bienvenu
European Production Designer
Laia Ateca for Sirāt
European Costume Designer
Sabrina Krämer for Sound of Falling
European Discovery – Prix FIPRESCI
On Falling (United Kingdom, Portugal)
Directed by Laura Carreira
European Young Audience Award
Siblings (Italy)
Directed by Greta Scarano
European Short Film – Prix Vimeo
City of Poets
Directed by John Smith
