European Film Awards 2023: On the red carpet with the attendees and winners

29^th December 2023

29 December 2023

Somewhat drowned out by the preamble to the more widely publicised American award shows, the European Film Academy celebrated their 36^th edition of recognising “Excellence in European cinematic achievements” in December in Berlin. The Upcoming was on the red carpet and spoke to a number of the attending talent.

Woman of the hour was undoubtedly Sandra Hüller, who competed against herself in the category “European Actress”, as she was nominated for her work in both The Zone of Interest and Anatomy of a Fall. Since both were non-German productions, the German actress in a way epitomised the category, as such it came as no surprise that she ended up winning for the latter. On the red carpet, she spoke about the importance of these films as well as the current state of European cinema.

Her Zone of Interest colleague Christian Friedel (nominated for “European Actor”) revealed to us how British director Jonathan Glazer worked with a cast of German actors, even though he doesn’t speak the language.

Fellow “European Actor” nominee Thomas Schubert discussed the Midsummer Night’s Dream world of Afire and the unconventionality of European cinema.

Nominated for “European Documentary”, director Nicolas Philibert shared how winning Berlinale’s Golden Bear helped spread awareness for the topic of mental health raised in his film On the Adamant.

Another film that premiered at the Berlinale was The Teacher’s Lounge, which was selected Germany’s contender for the 2024 (American) Academy Awards. Lead actress Leonie Benesch spoke to the international reception of this film.

Finland’s Oscar submission Fallen Leaves was represented by its stars Jussi Vatanen and Alma Pöysti, who were both nominated as European Actor and Actress respectively, and expressed their gratitude at having been asked to work with director Aki Kaurismäki.

There to present one of the night’s awards, Stellan Skarsgård shared his insights about the differences between European and American cinema on the red carpet.

European Film Academy member Maria Schrader had introduced Agnieszka Holland’s latest film Green Border (nominated in multiple categories) at the German premiere the night before and spoke to the immediacy with which her film responded to the political crisis at the Polish-Belarusian border. Schrader also shared how her experience working on a film in the United States differed from the European industry.