LUX film prize: MEPs have one month to pick 2011 winner

The three films competing for the fifth edition of the LUX film prize are being shown at the European Parliament in Brussels, starting on Tuesday. The three films selected are: Attenberg, by Athina Rachel Tsangari, Les neiges du Kilimandjaro by Robert Guédiguian, and Play by Ruben Östlund. The winner will be revealed at a ceremony in Strasbourg on 16 November.

The films will be shown from 11 October to 10 November at the purpose-built LUX cinema (90 places), close to the VoxBox area on the third floor of Parliament's Altiero Spinelli building. MEPs may view the fims and vote (one vote per MEP) from 11 October to 15 November. Any other person authorised to enter Parliament's premises may also watch the films.

The LUX prize is awarded to cinematographic works of fiction or animation lasting at least 60 minutes and illustrating values that constitute European identity, the diversity of cultures in Europe or debate on the European Union integration process.

This year's finalists

"Attenberg" (Greece), by Athina Rachel Tsangari, portrays the life of Marina, 23 years, who lives with her architect father in a coastal town. Marina observes humanity with detachment and finds herself confronted with the challenges of those close to her.

"Les neiges du Kilimandjaro" (France), by Robert Guédiguian, deals with the experience of Michel and Marie-Claire, whose happiness is shattered after they are attacked by armed men who steal the money they have saved for a trip to Kilimanjaro. They are moved by what they gradually learn about their assailants.

"Play", a Danish-French-Swedish co-production by Ruben Östlund, explores gang discourse and role-play in real cases of harassment in Gothenburg, Sweden.

The three LUX prize 2011 finalists, revealed at the Venice International Film Festival Venice Days, were chosen from among 10 films proposed by a jury of 17 cinema professionals chosen by the European Parliament's Culture and Education Committee. The jury also included a representative of the 2010 winner.

Award ceremony in Strasbourg

On 16 November, the winner will be officially announced and the prize awarded by European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek in Strasbourg. The prize money will pay to sub-title the winning film in the EU's 23 official languages, adapting the original for people with visual or hearing handicaps, and the cinema launch or production, in each Member State, of a 35mm or digital copy.

In this way, Parliament intends to help overcome linguistic barriers to the circulation of films within the European Union.

The award ceremony  in Strasbourg is to be followed by a press conference with MEPs and representatives of the three films. A special showing of the winning film will be held in a Strasbourg cinema on 16 November at 20.00h.