And the LUX Audience Award goes to… ‘The Teachers’ Lounge’

German director Ilker Çatak was awarded the 2024 LUX European Audience Film during a ceremony at the EU Parliament.

The Teachers’ Lounge has won the 2024 Lux Audience Award, a prize presented by presented by the European Parliament and the European Film Academy.
The film, produced in Germany, tells the story of Carla, an idealistic young high school teacher who exposes a thief in a series of events that slide steadily out of her control. 
“Culture and cinema in particular play a pivotal role in solidifying our sense of a shared European identity,” said European Parliament Vice-President Evelyn Regner.  
The other four films shortlisted for the award were: 20,000 Species of Bees by Spanish director Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren, Fallen Leaves by Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki, On the Adamant by French director Nicolas Philibert, Smoke Sauna Sisterhood by Estonian director Anna Hints.
The winning film was chosen by combining a public vote and a vote by MEPs, with each weighted at 50%.
Johannes Düncker, who wrote the script for the winning film, told Euronews he hoped people could identify with the film’s characters.
He said the idealist approach of some characters in the films could resonate with the audience. 
“Films allow people to see the world through a different lens, through different characters and ultimately allow the audience to develop empathy from a different perspective,” he told Euronews.
Watch the full report in the player above.