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SAA - Society of Audiovisual Authors

Dinner with MEPs and European filmmakers

7 October 2025 Events
Photographer: Pascal Bastien

To celebrate the announcement of the five films nominated for the 2026 LUX Audience Award, the SAA partnered with the Federation of European Film Directors and the Federation of Screenwriters in Europe to invite Members of the European Parliament, authors, and our members to dine and socialise together at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

During the dinner, we presented a joint statement emphasising that the European Parliament has long been the strongest ally of artists and urging MEPs to hold the Commission and Council accountable to EU values. Authors are currently facing unprecedented pressure, with AI companies bypassing licensing obligations and streaming platforms circumvent remuneration obligations, while artistic censorship spreads across Member States.

MEP Emma Rafowicz (S&D/FR), Vice-Chair of the Culture Committee, welcomed guests and reaffirmed Parliament's strong support for the rights of audiovisual authors and the livelihood of European culture.

Each year, the five nominated films for the LUX Audience Award raise awareness of current social and political issues, engaging audiences in debates about Europe. The LUX Audience Award gives the nominated films more visibility and helps them to cross borders to reach a wider audience. The nominated films are subtitled in all 24 official EU languages and screenings are organised by the EU Parliament in the Member States.

We congratulated the five nominated films: LOVE ME TENDER by director and writer Anna Cazenave Cambet, CHRISTY by director Brendan Canty and writer Alan O'Gorman, IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT by director and writer Jafar Panahi, DEAF by director and writer Eva Libertad, and SENTIMENTAL VALUE by director and writer Joachim Trier and co-writer Eskil Vogt.

Photo: Pascal Bastien

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