Swiss Cinema Garners Three Key Nominations for the 2026 European Film Awards

The Swiss film industry has secured three significant nominations for the upcoming 38th European Film Awards ceremony, an event often hailed as the "European Oscars." The official announcement of the winners is scheduled to take place in Berlin on January 17, 2026. This prestigious gathering, organized by the European Film Academy and European Film Academy Productions, strategically shifted its date to the beginning of the calendar year to boost the international visibility of European cinema during the peak awards season, including the run-up to the Academy Awards.

Among the recognized achievements is Petra Volpe's feature film, "En première ligne" (also known in Swiss theaters as "Heldin"). This movie currently serves as Switzerland's official submission for the "Oscar" consideration. The lead actress, Leonie Benesch, has earned a nomination in the highly competitive "Best European Actress" category. The film powerfully depicts the intense daily life of a nurse struggling amid severe staff shortages, where even routine tasks transform into acts of quiet resistance. Director Volpe, who divides her professional time between Switzerland and the United States, emphasized that shooting on location in Switzerland was crucial for capturing the necessary authenticity for such a potent narrative.

Technical excellence within Swiss productions also received high praise. Cinematographer Fabian Gampers is nominated for "Best European Cinematographer" for his visual contributions to the film "In die Sonne schauen." This particular movie notably shared the Jury Prize at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, further underscoring the superior level of technical craftsmanship evident in contemporary Swiss cinematic projects.

Furthermore, a Swiss co-production, the stop-motion animation "Olivia et le Tremblement de terre invisible," garnered dual recognition, securing nominations in both the general "European Film" category and the specialized "Best European Animated Feature Film" category. The European Film Academy's preliminary selection list encompasses a broad spectrum of 67 short, documentary, and animated works, including 44 full-length narrative features.

The broader success of Swiss talent is also reflected through their involvement in other high-profile international entries. For instance, the Franco-Spanish thriller "Sirât," directed by Oliver Laxe, which also claimed the Jury Prize at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and was put forward by Spain for the "Oscar," features the acting contributions of Sergi López. Additionally, Stellan Skarsgård is featured in the acting nominations for his role in "Sentimental Value," a film that amassed a total of five nominations.

The deliberate rescheduling of the awards ceremony to January, following the 37th edition held in December 2024, is part of a calculated repositioning effort. This change aims to maximize the impact of European contenders during the highly competitive international awards cycle. The final slate of nominees will be determined by the votes cast by the Academy's 5,400 members, following the initial announcement of the longlist.