The Norwegian family drama 'Sentimental Value' is the big winner of the 38th European Film Awards. At the festive ceremony held at the Haus der Kulturen der Welt in Berlin on January 17, 2026, the work by director Joachim Trier was awarded as the best European film. In total, the production received six awards, including honors for best director and for the two leading actors Renate Reinsve and Stellan Skarsg d. The film deals with the complex relationship of a director with his two daughters.
Besides the Norwegian success, there were also honors for the German film industry. The Berlin-based production company Komplizen Film, represented by Maren Ade, Janine Jackowski, and Jonas Dornbach, was recognized for its merits. The road movie 'Sirât' by French director Oliver Laxe received five awards. 'Fiume o Morte!' was chosen as the best documentary film. The lifetime achievement award went to the Norwegian acting icon Liv Ullmann.
The event was accompanied by debates about the competitiveness of European cinema. In this context, Minister of State for Media Wolfram Weimer pointed to the importance of new funding structures. Through the reform of the Film Funding Act (FFG) and an increased budget of around 310 million euros starting in 2026, the film location Germany is to be strengthened. The goal is to ensure both cultural quality and economic planning security for national and international productions.
