European Film Academy Announces 2026 Craft Nominations
The European Film Academy has revealed the nominations for the 2026 European Film Awards in the crafts categories, highlighting the strength of European filmmaking across direction, production, design, and technical excellence. The announcements spotlight three standout titles—Yorgos Lanthimos’s dark comedy Bugonia, Olivier Laxe’s post-apocalyptic road movie Sirāt, and Mascha Schilinski’s multigenerational drama Sound of Falling—among others, underscoring a year of inventive storytelling and meticulous craft across the continent.
Bugonia: A Dark Comedy with Sharp Craft
Bugonia, from Oscar-winning director Yorgos Lanthimos, earns recognition in the crafts lineup for its distinctive tonal control, set design, and production elements that mesh surreal humor with psychological tension. The craft nominations signal appreciation for Lanthimos’s ability to balance offbeat humor with precise technical execution, from cinematography that heightens the film’s uneasy atmosphere to sound design that punctuates its prickly wit. As audiences anticipate what Lanthimos will do next, the craftsmanship behind Bugonia strengthens its standing within contemporary European cinema.
Sirāt: Post-Apocalyptic Road Movie Shaping a New Visual Language
Olivier Laxe’s Sirāt has drawn attention for its stark, windswept landscapes and a road movie structure that doubles as a study in resilience. The crafts nominations recognize the film’s achievement in areas such as production design, editing, and sound, where the bleak beauty of ruined spaces and the film’s haunting score work in tandem to create a palpable sense of isolation. Sirāt’s acceptance into the crafts category highlights how European filmmakers are pushing genre boundaries while maintaining a rigorous attention to the technical choices that drive mood and momentum.
Sound of Falling: A Multigenerational Portrait with Precise Craft
Mascha Schilinski’s Sound of Falling, described as a multigenerational drama, has resonated with critics for its intimate performances and the craft refreshingly used to support an intricate narrative. The nominations point to excellence in editing, casting, production design, and sound—areas that are often decisive in films that weave multiple timelines or perspectives. The film’s success in the crafts categories signals a broader European appetite for stories that blend personal stakes with meticulous technical execution.
Other Notable Craft Nominations
Beyond the three leading titles, a slate of European productions earns recognition for technical excellence. The craft nominations often prize teams that translate bold directorial ideas into tangible on-screen experiences—whether through innovative production design, immersive soundscapes, or the careful art direction that keeps audiences grounded in a film’s emotional world. The full list showcases a diverse array of talents from across the European film community and highlights the collaborative nature of modern cinema.
What These Nominations Mean for European Cinema
Craft nominations at the European Film Awards emphasize the vital, often unseen, components that bring stories to life. In an era when streaming and festival circuits abound, these recognitions celebrate the technicians and creative collaborators who enable directors to realize ambitious visions. For audiences, the nominations are a signal to seek out films that combine strong storytelling with exemplary craftsmanship, while for industry professionals they mark important indicators of talent, collaboration, and potential for cross-border partnerships in European cinema.
How to Engage with the European Film Awards
As the ceremony approaches, fans can expect more details on the winners across craft categories, as well as opportunities to explore the nominated films in theaters or streaming platforms. The European Film Academy’s craft nominations serve as a guide for discerning viewers who value the hands-on artistry that elevates a good film to a great one.
