Catalan co-production 'Deaf' wins European Parliament's LUX Audience Award

The Catalan co-production 'Deaf' has won the European Parliament's LUX Audience Award for European Cinema in a ceremony on Tuesday in Brussels, after what director Eva Libertad describes as an "incredible" and unexpected journey for her work.

Hosted in the European chamber, the Lux award seeks to promote dialogue and engagement between politics and the public through cinema.

The film beat four other European productions: the Oscar-winning 'Sentimental Value', 'Christy', 'It Was Just An Accident', and 'Love Me Tender'.

Speaking ahead of the ceremony, Libertad said she was still "amazed" by how far the film had come.

'Deaf' is the first Spanish feature film to star a deaf actor in the lead role, Miriam Garlo, who is also Libertad's sister, and explores the challenges a couple faces when navigating parenthood, with one partner being deaf and the other hearing.

"It's been one surprise after another," she said, noting how 'Deaf' has connected deeply with audiences across Europe.

The director also expressed admiration for her fellow nominee, Joachim Trier, calling it a "source of pride" for her film to be included alongside Norwegian production 'Sentimental Value'. 

Accepting the award, the Murcia-born filmmaker said she was "very moved," dedicating the recognition to her sister, the deaf community, and people with disabilities across Europe.

"We weren't expecting this prize," she said.

Beyond critical acclaim, 'Deaf' has already had a social impact in Spain. Libertad pointed to an increase in accessible screenings, with more cinemas offering Spanish-language films with subtitles to better include deaf audiences. 

In Murcia, she also explained, a protocol introduced to support deaf mothers during childbirth has been recently approved. An initiative she described as "first-of-its-kind."

Libertad celebrated how "cinema helps bring about social change," emphasizing its ability to "highlight certain realities" and foster empathy.

During her speech at the ceremony, Libertad urged audiences and policymakers to reconsider rigid social norms.

She called for "continuing to think about how there are people who do not fit into the regulations that have been created." 

Continuing thinking this way, the world would "lose human richness", according to the film director.

She added that one of the film's greatest achievements has been bringing together diverse audiences, encouraging viewers to "put themselves in others' shoes" and imagine a more inclusive society.

For Libertad, the award is not just about professional recognition, but the realization of multiple dreams, from elevating deaf voices on screen to turning cinemas and classrooms into shared spaces of understanding.

Sabine Verheyen, Vice-President of the European Parliament praised this year's nominees for their "quality and diversity," highlighting a shared theme of community.