Two Lightdox Titles Shortlisted for the 2026 European Film Awards
Igor Bezinović’s explosive historical reenactment Fiume o morte! and Monica Strømdahl’s deeply moving portrait Flophouse America join the shortlist for the 38th European Film Awards.
We are thrilled to share that two of our films — Fiume o morte! by Igor Bezinović and Flophouse America by Monica Strømdahl — have been shortlisted for the 2026 European Film Awards, celebrating the most outstanding achievements in European cinema.
Fiume o morte! — a cinematic riot that defies history
Fresh from being selected as Croatia’s official entry for the 98th Academy Awards, Igor Bezinović’s Fiume o morte! continues its unstoppable international success with a spot on the prestigious EFA shortlist.
This boldly imaginative reenactment of Gabriele D’Annunzio’s 1919 occupation of Fiume transforms one of Europe’s strangest historical episodes — the most photographed and filmed political event of its time, and the birthplace of the infamous “Roman salute” — into a defiantly punk, surreal, and deeply political cinematic experience.
Shot with the participation of hundreds of Rijeka’s citizens, Bezinović orchestrates a brilliant reflection on power, propaganda, and the absurd theatre of nationalism, blending fact, myth, and performance into a film as exhilarating as it is provocative.
Following its world premiere at IFF Rotterdam, where it won both the Tiger Award and the FIPRESCI Prize, Fiume o morte! has electrified audiences worldwide — from San Sebastian IFF and CPH:DOX to Shanghai IFF, MoMA’s New Directors/New Films, Sarajevo FF, and Vancouver IFF.
It has also achieved an unprecedented milestone as the highest-grossing documentary in Croatian history.
Flophouse America — a tender and unflinching portrait of resilience
We’re equally proud that Flophouse America by Monica Strømdahl has been shortlisted for this year’s awards — a testament to its profound humanity and emotional depth.
Filmed over three years in a compassionate, observational style, the film follows twelve-year-old Mikal as he navigates the complexities of childhood poverty, addiction, and survival on the margins of U.S. society.
The result is a deeply intimate story of love, loss, and hope that lingers long after the credits roll.
After its world premiere at CPH:DOX, where it received a Special Mention in the DOX:AWARD Competition, Flophouse America has continued a remarkable festival journey — screening at Movies that Matter, Visions du Réel, Millennium Docs Against Gravity, and Subversive Festival, where it won the Wild Dreamer “Dragan Rubeša” Award for Best Documentary.
The film was also honored with the Hera “Nuovi Talenti” Award at Biografilm Festival, and has since appeared at Dokufest, Athens IFF, Reykjavik IFF, São Paulo IFF, and many others.
The 38th European Film Awards will take place on 17 January 2026 in Berlin, Germany, presented by the European Film Academy and European Film Academy Productions.
The shortlist announcement marks the first step in the selection process. In the coming weeks, the Academy’s 5,400 members will screen and vote on the shortlisted titles.
The nominations will be announced on 18 November 2025 at the Real Alcázar of Sevilla, coinciding with the 22nd Seville European Film Festival, continuing the tradition of celebrating European cinema in front of a live audience.
Congratulations to the incredible teams behind Fiume o morte! and Flophouse America!
We are incredibly proud to see both films recognized among the most significant works of European cinema this year.