The award, a cash prize of 30 000 euros, has been instigated by Eurimages alongside a raft of other measures to promote greater gender equality in the European film industry.

Audentia – meaning “courage” and “bravery” in Latin – reflects two vital qualities for any woman wishing to pursue a career in film directing. With the Audentia Award, Eurimages intends to celebrate women who have had the courage to make that choice, by giving their work greater visibility and inspiring other women to follow in their footsteps.

The statuette of the first prize (see left) designed by artist Ewa Rossano.

On 1st March 2023 Eurimages launched a call for proposals to select the festivals that will present the Audentia award as of 1 January 2024 for a maximum period of three years (2024-2026).  

Further to recommendations made by a panel of independent film industry experts the Eurimages Board of Management has selected the following three festivals to host the annual Audentia Award for an award of 30 000€ over the period 2024 to 2026:

• 2024 Norwegian International Film Festival Haugesund, Norway
• 2025 Cork International Film Festival, Ireland
• 2026 International Crime and Punishment Film Festival, Türkiye

See below details of festivals hosting the last three Audentia Awards:

• 2023 Beldocs Festival, Belgrade, Serbia
• 2022 Festival du Film de Trieste, Italy
• 2021 Festival du Nouveau Cinéma Montreal, Canada