While the ECFA Awards 2026 were on display in Berlin, the first nominations for the next edition were already being selected in India, Belgium, and Portugal. Nominees for 2027 have been announced in all three formats: feature, short, and documentary.
Smile Int’l Festival (Delhi, India)
ECFA Feature Award: GRANDPA, LET’S GO (Olga Chajdas; Poland & Czech Republic)
ECFA Jury: Josep Arbiol (Spain), Hilde Steenssens (Belgium), Kristine Simsone (Latvia)
Synopsis: One day, Grandpa Jeremi causes such trouble in the retirement home that his daughter feels obliged to take him in. Providing accommodation for Grandpa is no easy task, given Jeremi’s vivid imagination. But his granddaughter Jagoda is happy to share in his outrageous ideas, and together, they set off on an adventurous trip…
Youth Film Festival Antwerp (Belgium)
ECFA Jury: Pelle Møller (Denmark), Markéta Pášmová (Czech Republic), Ante Pask (Belgium), Philippe Meers (Belgium)
ECFA Feature Award: KING OF THE WANDERERS (Janne Schmidt; the Netherlands)
Quote from the Jury Statement: “This social drama subtly interweaves magic and realism to portray mental health issues. It is a warm and affectionate film, with brilliant acting and subtle, powerful imagery (…). After the film’s moving ending, you will continue to discuss its theme for hours.”
ECFA Short Award: AUTOKAR (Sylwia Szkiłądź; Belgium, Poland) (thumb photo)
Quote from the Jury Statement: “This film approaches difficult themes with sensitivity and poetic imagination. The visual language is rich in symbolism and interweaves a gentle form of surrealism with an intimate perspective that reflects the inner world of a child.”
ECFA Doc Award: IN BETWEEN WAVES (Britt Vanhaelen; Belgium)
Quote from the Jury Statement: “A powerful and inspiring story about refugee girls who escaped a regime where your gender determines your entire life. The surfing youngsters find strength together as a team and through their individual struggles with the waves. The sea has a liberating effect on body and mind (…). A holistic, sensory experience.”
PLAY – Lisbon (Portugal)
ECFA Short Award: GILBERT (Arturo Lacal, Alex Salu Jordi Jiménez; Spain)
ECFA Jury: Gudrun Sommer (Germany), Hilde Steenssens (Belgium), Inês T. Alves (Portugal)
Quote from the Jury Statement: “This film distinguishes itself through a beautiful aesthetic animation style that feels both nostalgic and refreshing, and underlines the strength and vulnerability of the two main characters. Through its poetic rhythm, the film offers the audience the time to soak in the details and enjoy the well-crafted sound design.”