The film Animal, co-produced by people in Cyprus was one of five nominated for the LUX 2025 European Cinema Prize on Wednesday.

The five nominated films were announced by President of the European Parliament Committee on Culture and Education Nila Reel. The directors of the five films or their representatives were also present.

Animal, directed by Sofia Exarchou, was co-produced by Greece, Cyprus, Austria, Romania and Bulgaria, and deals with labour rights, tourism, youth and intergenerational relations.

The other films nominated are Dahomey, Flow, Intercepted, and Julie Keep Quiet.

The five shortlisted films for the LUX Prize are selected by a panel of film professionals from all EU member states.

Ferheyen said that European cinema “reflects the challenges and hopes of our society”. The year’s finalists, she said, each in their own right, show the rich diversity of the film world.

“They offer powerful perspectives on pressing issues such as women’s rights, climate change, our history and the war in Ukraine,” she said, adding that they invite us to see the world through different lenses.