Mark Cousins to Curate Reimagined 2026 European Film Awards

In a move to reposition and expand the European Film Awards, the European Film Academy has announced that acclaimed filmmaker Mark Cousins will curate the 38th edition of the ceremony, set to take place on January 17, 2026 in Berlin.

Cousins, known for his innovative documentary work, will lead a creative team that includes composer Dascha Dauenhauer and stage director Robert Lehniger. Together, they aim to move away from the traditional award show format, instead crafting a "live film essay" that explores the question "why do we love cinema?"

The date change, first announced in 2023 to come into force in 2026, means the European Film Awards will now take place just after the Golden Globes on January 11 and during the Oscar nomination voting period. This strategic shift is part of the Academy's efforts to increase the event's visibility and impact within the wider awards season.

"Cinema has been born in Europe. And Europe continuously forms the source of new international talent, daring storytelling and technical innovation, that all impact the images we see," said European Film Academy Director Matthijs Wouter Knol. "Being able to work now with Robert, Dascha and Mark is an important step to create an event that can't be missed."