Spanish Director Eva Libertad’s ‘Deaf’ Wins Lux Audience Award

Spanish filmmaker Eva Libertad’s solo debut feature “Deaf” (Sorda) has won the 2026 Lux Audience Award, which was handed out at a ceremony Tuesday evening in Brussels.

The award, which is decided through voting by European citizens and members of the European Parliament, went to a film that has racked up a string of prizes since its 2025 premiere at the Berlin Film Festival, where it won the Panorama Audience Award, including a trio at February’s Goyas, Spain’s equivalent of the Oscars, with Libertad earning best new director honors, and Miriam Garlo and co-star Álvaro Cervantes taking actress and supporting actor awards, respectively.

Expanding on the eponymous Goya-nominated short she co-directed with Nuria Muñoz, starring Libertad’s sister, Garlo, an acclaimed deaf actress, “Deaf” tells the story of Ángela, a deaf woman expecting a child with her hearing partner. Ángela’s fears about motherhood and her ability to communicate and interact with her daughter mount as she confronts the reality of raising a baby in a world not built for her.

Produced by Distinto Films, Nexus CreaFilms and A Contracorriente Films, and sold internationally by Latido Films, “Deaf” has been released in more than 40 countries worldwide. Key sales deals include most major territories in the world, taking in Mubi for Latin America (outside Brazilian SVOD), Italy (Lucky Red), Australia (Madman), U.K. and Ireland (Curzon), Germany (Piffl), Japan (New Select), France (Condor Entertainment) and China (Wiseup Media). A Contracorriente Films has released “Deaf” in Spain.

Accepting the award on Tuesday, Libertad said she hoped the honor would “help to focus on the deaf community, and the diversity of people in Europe, and to promote inclusion policies that improve their living conditions.” 

She added: “I am also confident that it will contribute to society changing its view of diversity, that it will no longer be seen as a problem and that it will be perceived as human wealth.”

A joint initiative of the European Parliament and the European Film Academy, in collaboration with the European Commission and Europa Cinemas, the Lux Audience Award was created in 2007 with the aim of supporting films that foster dialogue and engagement in the public sphere in Europe while raising awareness about some of today’s most pressing social and political issues. 

The four other shortlisted films this year were “Christy,” by Irish director Brendan Canty; “It Was Just an Accident,” by Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi; “Love Me Tender,” by French director Anna Cazenave Cambet; and “Sentimental Value,” from Norway’s Joachim Trier.

“The Lux Audience Award shines a light on films that open our eyes to experiences beyond our own. This year’s winner, ‘Deaf,’ does exactly that — with courage, warmth and rare authenticity,” said European Parliament vice-president Sabine Verheyen.

“Director Eva Libertad gives us an unforgettable window into the life of a deaf woman navigating motherhood in a world not built for her. Led by a stunning performance from deaf actress Miriam Garlo, the film challenges us to listen differently and to build a Europe where no one is left unheard,” she added.

Former European Film Academy chair Mike Downey, who served as honorary president of this year’s selection panel, noted that the “extraordinary” winning film was more than just a “worthy winner of this prestigious award.” 

“European cinema has a rich history of addressing complex societal issues with depth and artistic honesty,” said Downey. “Crossing the fault lines of war, migration and environmental concerns, fighting for human rights and cultural diversity, European filmmakers have consistently used their craft over the years to provoke thought and inspire action. The film ‘Sorda’ exemplifies these qualities perfectly. This is what sets European cinema apart from much of world cinema.”

Next up “Deaf” heads to New York for And the Goya Goes To – New Spanish Films, an event showcasing Spanish cinema that’s organized by Spain’s Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences, its ICAA film agency and export and investment board ICEX. This year’s event runs April 16-19.