01/04/2025 - The European Film Academy initiative continues to expand, with audience numbers soaring and a growing network of partners across Europe

Since its successful pan-European debut in November 2022, the Month of European Film has seen steady growth. Initially partnering with 35 organisations across as many countries, the initiative had expanded to 108 partners in 42 countries by 2024. Screenings surged from 1,553 in 2022 to 9,310 in 2023, reaching 16,140 in 2024, while admissions soared from 61,199 to 164,206, hitting nearly half a million (467,697) last year.

European Film Academy CEO Matthijs Wouter Knol highlighted the growing demand for a European “award season” and the initiative’s ever-expanding visibility. “The European Film Academy senses growing interest in Europe for an ‘award season’ celebrating the best that European cinema has to offer,” he stated. “With the Month of European Film, we build a network and a window for the simultaneous celebration of European cinema in order to bring the diversity of European film closer to home for many people: first of all, to their local cinema. Only three years into the initiative, we are proud and happy that the Month of European Film is becoming more and more visible across Europe, and is attracting a significantly growing number of visitors from Norway to Malta, and from Portugal to Georgia. In the coming years, until the European Film Academy’s 40th anniversary in 2028, we will further build a European ‘award season’ with our partners. It is time to deepen the awareness of European film culture. It is time to bring us, as Europeans, closer together through the culture and values we share: cinema has that power.”

A survey confirmed strong audience enthusiasm, with attendees viewing the event as an essential celebration of European culture, significantly increasing their interest in European films and fostering a sense of unity. The 2025 edition will begin on 18 November with the announcement of the European Film Awards nominees, followed by a continent-wide programme in cinemas, culminating in the awards ceremony on 17 January 2026 in Berlin. The initiative is organised by the European Film Academy with the support of the Creative Europe – MEDIA programme of the European Union, in collaboration with Europa Cinemas, CICAE, MUBI, DAFilms, Festival Scope, and numerous other European and local partners.