Yorgos Lanthimos’ ‘Bugonia’ and Others Lead European Film Award Nominations

The European Film Academy announced the nominations for the **2026 European Film Awards** on Wednesday, spotlighting the leading films in the crafts categories. Among the frontrunners are **Yorgos Lanthimos**’ dark comedy **Bugonia**, **Olivier Laxe**’s post-apocalyptic road film **Sirat**, and **Mascha Schilinski**’s multi-generational German drama **Sound of Falling**, each receiving five nominations.

**Bugonia** stands out for its unique take on the 2003 Korean sci-fi comedy **Save the Green Planet!** by **Jang Joon Hwan**. Its nominations include best original score, editing, hair and makeup, production design, and sound design. The film’s eclectic style and dark humor have resonated with audiences and critics alike.

In contrast, **Sirat** offers an oddly optimistic perspective on death and the end of the world, set against an energetic techno soundtrack. It garnered nominations for best casting, cinematography, and editing, along with best production and sound design. This film’s distinctive approach to heavy themes has sparked interest across various platforms.

**Sound of Falling** intricately weaves the narratives of four young women from different generations growing up on the same small farm. It has been nominated for best casting, cinematography, original score, costume, and hair and makeup. Both **Sirat** and **Sound of Falling** are also contenders for the prestigious title of best European Film at the awards.

While **Bugonia** is recognized in the main categories with a nomination for best European director for **Lanthimos**, it is **Joachim Trier**’s Norwegian melodrama **Sentimental Value** that leads the main EFA categories with five nominations, including best European Film. This film also secured three nominations in the crafts categories: best casting, best original score, and best production design.

The only other film to receive multiple nominations in the crafts categories is **Agnieszka Holland**’s biopic **Franz**, which earned nominations for costumes and hair and makeup.

The **2026 European Film Awards** ceremony is set to take place in **Berlin** on **January 17, 2026**. The complete list of nominees in the arts and crafts categories reflects a diverse range of talent and creativity from across Europe.

Among the nominees for **European Casting Director** are **Nadia Acimi**, **Luís Bértolo**, and **María Rodrigo** for **Sirat**, along with **Karimah El-Giamal** and **Jacqueline Rietz** for **Sound of Falling**, and **Yngvill Kolset Haga** and **Avy Kaufman** for **Sentimental Value**.

In the **European Cinematographer** category, contenders include **Manu Dacosse** for **The Stranger**, **Fabian Gamper** for **Sound of Falling**, and **Mauro Herce** for **Sirat**.

For **European Composer (Original Score)**, nominations feature **Jerskin Fendrix** for **Bugonia**, **Michael Fiedler** and **Eike Hosenfeld** for **Sound of Falling**, and **Hania Rani** for **Sentimental Value**.

The nominations for **European Costume Designer** include **Michaela Horáčková Hořejší** for **Franz**, **Sabrina Krämer** for **Sound of Falling**, and **Ursula Patzak** for **Duse**.

In the **European Editor** category, nominees are **Cristóbal Fernández** for **Sirat**, **Toni Froschhammer** for **Die My Love**, and **Yorgos Mavropsaridis** for **Bugonia**.

**European Make-Up & Hair Artist** nominations feature **Gabriela Poláková** for **Franz**, **Irina Schwarz** and **Anne-Marie Walther** for **Sound of Falling**, and **Torsten Witte** for **Bugonia**.

Nominations for **European Production Designer** include **Laia Ateca** for **Sirat**, **James Price** for **Bugonia**, and **Jørgen Stangebye Larsen** for **Sentimental Value**.

Finally, the **European Sound Designer** nominees are **Johnnie Burn** for **Bugonia**, **Laia Casanovas** for **Sirat**, and a team for **The Voice of Hind Rajab**.

The excitement surrounding the **2026 European Film Awards** highlights the flourishing landscape of European cinema and its promising talents.