OFFICIAL STATEMENT     

Almost eight months of co-existence with the COVID-19 pandemic have taught us to adapt to new realities. We have seen festivals taking place in a hybrid  form, going completely online or even being cancelled. And we were happy to see the Venice International Film Festival taking place physically as a good example of how gathering, meeting and watching films on the big screen in the company of others is possible in these challenging times.

 

Unfortunately, the encouraging Venice formula does not apply to the European Film Awards in Iceland this year. When we were in Reykjavik for a preparatory visit only two months ago, the general situation in Europe and, especially, in Iceland, gave concrete cause for optimism that the 33rd European Film Awards could finally happen as a physical event. Meanwhile, the situation in Europe is deteriorating and Iceland is going through a second wave. As a consequence, new regulations for visitors were implemented including mandatory double-testing with a five-day quarantine between both tests.

 

With deep regret but in full and mutual agreement, EFA and its Icelandic partners, namely the City of Reykjavik and the Icelandic Ministry of Culture, came to the conclusion to cancel the event in the Icelandic capital in December 2020, aiming to come there in another, hopefully, not too far and better year. As you can imagine, no-one is more disappointed than our Icelandic friends and we, at EFA. A lot of creativity, passion and energy was put from all sides into the EFA weekend, and we had become one great team. It is not easy to digest the decision that was made with responsibility and out of care for our guests.

 

The 33rd European Film Awards will therefore take place as a virtual ceremony broadcast and streamed from our home city, Berlin, on the original date, Saturday, 12 December 2020. We are presently working on a concept including several additional online events during the week leading up to the ceremony, thus hoping that the communal experience which always marks our gatherings can be saved and include as many members as possible of both, the European Film Academy and the European film community - because one thing is clear: Corona may not allow us coming together physically but we will certainly not allow Corona to destroy the amicable spirit of our industry.

 

The official announcement of the cancellation of the physical event and the EFA’s instead being presented online will be made next week. We wanted, however, to inform you, our members, partners and supporters, beforehand, hoping very much for your understanding. We will be in touch with you soon with further information and concrete plans with regard to our events and the involvement of our partners and the EFA Members.

 

Sincerely yours,

Marion Döring
Director European Film Academy
Producer European Film Awards