European films recognised at the 86th Academy Awards
The European Film Agency Directors Association (EFAD) is proud to see numerous European films, creators and talents recognised on the global stage at this year’s 86th Academy Awards.
EFAD warmly congratulates Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value, which won the Oscar for Best International Feature Film, marking a historic first for Norway in this category. The film is a European co-production involving Denmark, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Sweden.
EFAD also congratulates Mr. Nobody Against Putin by David Borenstein and Pavel Talankin, which received the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. This Danish-Czech co-production was previously screened by the Danish Film Institute (DFI) and EFAD in Brussels on 8 December 2025, as well as at the European Parliament on 5 February 2026.
In addition, EFAD recognises the strong presence of European works across the nominations. Films such as It Was Just an Accident, Sirat, The Voice of Hind Rajab, The Ugly Stepsister, Cutting Through Rocks, Arco, and Little Amelie or the Character of Rain portray the cultural and linguistic diversity, richness and authenticity of European storytelling.
This international recognition once again highlights the value of a strong European audiovisual ecosystem, built on public support, co-production and creative collaboration, which must be collectively supported and further strengthened.
Kjersti Mo, CEO of Norwegian Film Institute:
“This Oscar win highlights the strength of the European model, where public funding, artistic freedom and co-production enable distinctive voices to reach global audiences. It also sends a strong message of hope: that even smaller film nations can achieve global success through long-term investment in talent and storytelling. This is why it is essential to protect and strengthen public funding and co-production frameworks across Europe.”
Tine Fischer, CEO of the Danish Film Institute:
“The fact that an independent producer like Made in Copenhagen can go all the way and win against the world’s biggest streaming giants speaks to the strength and quality of Danish film. The Oscar statuette for ‘Mr. Nobody Against Putin’ also underlines why independent documentary filmmaking is so crucial right now. Huge congratulations to the entire team behind the film. Danish film is in a very special position, with an Oscar winner and totally six Oscar nominations. The fact that many international players look to Denmark when assembling their teams highlights the extraordinary artistic level among Danish film professionals.”