In a recent announcement via video, Jonathan Glazer's powerful Holocaust drama "The Zone of Interest" leads the nominations for this year's European Film Awards (EFAs) with an impressive five nods, including Best Film and Best Director.
The film, also the U.K.'s official entry for the 2024 Oscars in the Best International Feature category, secured additional nominations for Best Screenwriter (Glazer) and Best Actress and Best Actor for leads Sandra Hüller and Christian Friedel.
Sandra Hüller finds herself in competition against herself in the Best Actress category, earning a second EFA nomination for her role in Justine Triet’s courtroom drama "Anatomy of a Fall," which also received four nominations, including Best European Film and Best Director for Triet.
Other notable contenders for Best European Film include Matteo Garrone's refugee drama "Io Capitano" from Italy, and Aki Kaurismäki’s Finnish romantic drama "Fallen Leaves," both of which serve as official Oscar submissions for their respective countries. Agnieszka Holland's "Green Border," a black-and-white feature highlighting the plight of migrants on the border between Poland and Belarus, also made the list despite facing controversy in Poland.
Directors Agnieszka Holland, Aki Kaurismäki, and Matteo Garrone, alongside Glazer and Triet, received Best Director nominations for their outstanding contributions.
In the Best Actress category, Alma Pöysti, star of "Fallen Leaves," competes against Leonie Benesch, Mia McKenna-Bruce, and Eka Chavleishvili for their exceptional performances in their respective films.
Best Actor contenders include Jussi Vatanen, Mads Mikkelsen, Josh O’Connor, and Thomas Schubert, each recognized for their remarkable roles in their respective films.
In the category of European Discovery – Prix FIPRESCI for Best Debut Feature, standout films include Molly Manning Walker’s "How to Have Sex," Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren’s transgender drama "20,000 Species of Bees," and others.
The nominations were determined by the 4,600 members of the European Film Academy, who assessed each film based on its excellent quality and adherence to the diversity and inclusion standards of the European Film Academy. The winners of the 2023 European Film Awards are set to be unveiled in Berlin on December 9.
List of nominees for the 2023 European Film Award
The Zone of Interest, dir. Jonathan Glazer
