27/07/2010

This morning, during the press conference of the Venice Days sidebar of the Venice International Film Festival, the European Parliament unveiled the three contending films for the LUX Prize 2010.

The shortlist comprises Greek/German co-production Plato's Academy [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Constantin Moriatis
interview: Filippos Tsitos
interview: Filippos Tsitos
film profile] by Filippos Tsitos, German feature When We Leave [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Feo Aladag
interview: Feo Aladag
film profile] by Feo Aladag and Benelux co-production Illégal [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Olivier Masset-Depasse
film profile] by Olivier Masset-Depasse.

The films will be screened within the framework of Venice Days on September 10 and 11 and presented by their directors. In addition, the LUX Prize, Venice Days and Europa Cinemas have formed a partnership to invite 27 young film lovers to Venice – one from each of the member states of the European Union. They will attend the entire festival and deliver their opinions on the different films from their individual perspectives, whilst taking part in debates with Members of the European Parliament and film professionals.

It will be possible to see the videos of the discussions daily on Cineuropa.org as well as to participate in them online. Click here to see video interview with Venice Days director Georgio Gosetti on this partnership.

After the Venice screenings, Plato's Academy, When We Leave and Illégal will be shown in the Brussels-based European Parliament’s headquarters from October 26-November 19. Members of the European Parliament will vote on the winning film and the 2010 LUX Prize will be awarded on 24 November by the President of the European Parliament at its headquarters in Strasbourg.

The LUX Prize was established in 2007 as a tangible symbol of the European Parliament’s commitment to the European film industry and its creative endeavours. Previous winners include Fatih Akin’s The Edge of Heaven [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Fatih Akin
interview: Klaus Maeck
film profile], Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne’s The Silence of Lorna [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Arta Dobroshi
interview: Arta Dobroshi
interview: Jean-Pierre et Luc Dardenne
interview: Olivier Bronckart
film profile] and Philippe Lioret’s Welcome [+see also:
film review
trailer
making of
interview: Philippe Lioret
film profile].

Click here to read the special report of this year’s selection process of the three final competitors, which includes video interviews with the prize’s panel of selection.