European Film Academy Will Launch New Honors in 2027
The academy will present its inaugural Community Award to three figures at a ceremony in Athens on January 15, 2027.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Cultural
Live Poll
Do you believe film industry awards successfully recognize individuals who improve the local film landscape?
The European Film Academy will establish the Community Award for an Outstanding Contribution to European Film Culture. The academy will honor Beki Probst, Marin Karmitz, and Sandra den Hamer as the first recipients during a ceremony at the Acropolis Museum on January 15, 2027.
Why it matters
The new award recognizes individuals who have made a decisive and continuous impact on European film culture over many years. It aims to institutionalize the acknowledgment of industry figures who have shaped the regional cinematic landscape.
The European Film Academy represents a network of more than 5,700 members. Starting in 2028, the academy will transition to a model where members nominate candidates for the three awards presented each year.
The players
Beki Probst
She is a cinema industry veteran who founded Queenie Cinemas in Bern and created the European Film Market.
Marin Karmitz
He is an influential filmmaker and producer who directed his first feature film in 1967.
Sandra den Hamer
She served as the director of the Netherlands Filmmuseum and led its evolution into the Eye Filmmuseum.
European Film Academy
This organization connects over 5,700 members to promote and support European film culture.
The details
The board selected the first three honorees for their long-standing contributions, including Beki Probst who established the European Film Market in 1988, and Sandra den Hamer who led the transformation of the Netherlands Filmmuseum into the Eye Filmmuseum. Marin Karmitz, who directed his first feature in 1967, joins them as an inaugural recipient of the honor.
Timeline
Beki Probst established the European Film Market in 1988.
Sandra den Hamer directed the Netherlands Filmmuseum from 2007 to 2023.
The award ceremony will take place on January 15, 2027.
Member-led nominations for the award are scheduled to begin in 2028.
Industry Dynamics
The introduction of this award signals a shift toward institutionalizing recognition for behind-the-scenes contributors who have historically built the industry's infrastructure. It reflects a growing effort by the European Film Academy to align its internal honors with the legacy of foundational institutions like the European Film Market.
This award announcement creates a new benchmark for industry recognition that audiences can track during future annual film cycles. The shift to a member-led nomination process starting in 2028 may increase transparency regarding which figures the professional community views as essential to European cinema.
The takeaway
The academy's new award establishes a formal legacy for those who have spent decades developing film infrastructure and archives. It provides a structured way for the professional community to identify and celebrate the individuals most responsible for the longevity of European cinema.
Further reading
Explore more about how industry milestones shape the sector in the Cultural section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by British Cinematographer.
Live Poll
Do you believe film industry awards successfully recognize individuals who improve the local film landscape?
