The “Academy Shortlist” of feature films under consideration for the 2026 European Film Awards has been announced, including eight high profile animation titles from the continent. The 38th awards ceremony will be held January 17, 2026 in Berlin, presented jointly by the European Film Academy and European Film Academy Productions.
Sixy-seven feature-length films have been shortlisted, voted for by the members of the European Film Academy. The shortlist includes 44 feature films, 15 documentary films and eight animated feature films; 27 of the shortlisted films are directed or co-directed by women. The academy points out that with 34 European (both E.U. and non-E.U.) countries represented, the 2026 shortlist reflects the excellence, variety, diversity and creativity of filmmaking throughout Europe.
The shortlisted animated feature films by a selection committee composed of members of the Academy Board and invited experts in co-operation with CARTOON, the European Association of Animation Film. Starting last year, the nominees in the animation and documentary feature categories are also eligible for the top prize: Best European Film.
Animated Feature Film Shortlist:
Arco — Ugo Bienvenu (France)
Balentes — Giovanni Columbu (Italy, Germany)
Checkered Ninja 3 — Anders Matthesen, Thorbjørn Christoffersen (Denmark)
Dandelion’s Odyssey — Momoko Seto (France)
Dog of God — Raitis Abele, Lauris Abele (Latvia, U.S.A.)
Little Amelie — Maïlys Vallade, Liane-Cho Han (France)
Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake — Irene Iborra Rizo (Spain, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Chile)
Tales from the Magic Garden — David Súkup, Patrik Pašš, Leon Vidmar, Jean-Claude Rozec (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, France)
In the coming weeks, the 5,400 members of the European Film Academy will watch the shortlisted films, except for the categories European Young Audience Award, LUX Audience Award and the Honorary Awards, and vote for the nominations. Nominations for the categories ‘European Film’, ‘European Director’, ‘European Discovery—Prix Fipresci’, ‘European Documentary’, ‘European Animated Feature Film’, ‘European Actress’, ‘European Actor’ and ‘European Screenwriter’ will be announced on November 18, 2025 at the Real Alcázar of Sevilla, following the 22nd Seville European Film Festival.
On October 31, 2025 the nominations for the European Short Film – Prix Vimeo, chosen by the European Film Academy Short Film Network, will be announced at the 70th SEMINCI – Valladolid International Film Festival. Animated shorts included in this shortlist are Sasha Svirsky’s Dull Spots of Greenish Colours (Germany) and How Are You? (France) by Caroline Poggi and Jonathan Vinel.
On November 26, 2025 the nominations for the categories ‘European Casting Director’, ‘European Cinematographer’, ‘European Composer (Original Score)’, ‘European Costume Designer’, ‘European Editor’, ‘European Make-Up & Hair Artist’, ‘European Production Designer’ and ‘European Sound Designer’, chosen by the Academy members from the shortlisted feature films, will be made public.
The Academy Shortlist is based on the Diversity & Inclusion Standards of the European Film Academy. For more information on the awarding procedure and eligibility criteria, please see Regulations for the 38th European Film Awards.
See the full roster of shortlisted films here. Visit europeanfilmawards.eu for more information.
