CICAE Announces Arthouse Cinema Award Winners at the 76th Berlinale • CICAE

At the closing ceremony of the Berlin International Film Festival on 21 February, the winners of the Arthouse Cinema Awards in the Panorama and Forum sections were announced.

Presented by the International Confederation of Arthouse Cinemas (CICAE), the awards recognise outstanding films with strong potential for the international arthouse circuit. Each year, the prize highlights works that combine artistic vision with the ability to travel widely through independent cinemas and connect with audiences beyond the festival context.

At the 76th Berlinale, the awards went to “Prosecution” by Faraz Shariat in the Panorama section and “On Our Own” by Tudor Cristian Jurgiu in the Forum section.

On Our Own received the CICAE Arthouse Cinema Award – Forum.

This coming-of-age drama follows teenagers navigating adulthood largely without parental guidance. Flavia and Luca grow up in a world where adults are mostly absent — their parents working abroad or dealing with their own struggles.

As they face emotional barriers, responsibilities and first love, the young characters gradually form a self-chosen alternative family. Through shared experiences and everyday challenges, they learn independence, solidarity and care for one another, discovering their own path toward adulthood.

by Tudor Cristian Jurgiu (Director, Screenplay), Anca Buja (Screenplay)with Denisa Vraja, Vlad Furtună, Mara Diaconu-Ducica, Sofia Vasiliu, Dominique Toma • 94' • Romania, Italy 2026

Produced by
Libra Films, Buharest, Romania
info@librafilm.net

Co-produced by
Indyca, Turin, Italy
simone.catania@indyca.it

World Sales
True Colours,  Rome, Italy
sales@truecolours.it

This film masterfully explores profound and complex social issues with warmth, sensitivity, and a refreshing light-hearted touch. Through compelling storytelling and visually natural immersive cinematography, it effortlessly draws audiences into its world, making them feel intimately connected to the journey unfolding on screen. Its thoughtful balance of depth and accessibility ensures it resonates across generations, engaging both young viewers and adults alike. By blending meaningful themes with universal appeal, the film stands out as a powerful yet entertaining cinematic achievement which is fully complemented by the exceptional delivery from the cast.

The jury was composed of the following international members of the CICAE: 

• Tatenda Jamera (UK) – filmmaker and curator focused on African arthouse cinema and founder of the Maona Art platform.
  
  
• Patryk Chromik (Poland) – acting manager of Kino Kosmos in Katowice and long-time programmer of retrospectives and film events.
  
  
• Francesc Vilallonga (Spain) – Head of Programming at Cinema Truffaut in Girona and professor of film industry studies in Barcelona.

Prosecution received the CICAE Arthouse Cinema Award – Panorama.

The film follows young prosecutor Seyo Kim, who is determined to confront far-right violence in eastern Germany. After surviving a racist attack herself, she decides to pursue the case independently despite resistance from her superiors.

As the investigation unfolds, Seyo uncovers links between the attacker and a broader extremist network. By reopening long-closed “isolated cases” and examining hidden connections, she gradually exposes how institutions meant to deliver justice can fail to recognise — or confront — systemic racism.

by Faraz Shariat (Director), Claudia Schaefer (Screenplay), Jee-Un Kim (Screenplay), Dr. Sun-Ju Choi (Screenplay)with Chen Emilie Yan, Julia Jentsch, Alev Irmak, Arnd Klawitter, Sebastian Urzendowsky • 113' • Germany 2026

Produced by
Jünglinge Film, Berlin, Germany
hi@juenglinge-film.de

World Sales
New Europe Film Sales, Warschau, Poland
info@neweuropefilmsales.com

This film speaks directly to one of the most urgent issues today, not only in Germany but across the world. It confronts the illusion of neutrality within institutions that claim objectivity and exposes how systems meant to protect can downplay or shield racist violence. It shows, with painful clarity, that no level of professionalism or integration can protect those not seen as belonging. The story challenges our exemplary models of justice and asks where we stand. Do we accept systemic oppression disguised as isolated cases, or demand something better? For its courage and urgency, our award goes to Prosecution.

The CICAE Panorama jury was composed of the following international members of the CICAE: 

• Ingrid Machado (Brazil) – filmmaker and curator, founder of the Solax Film Club project focused on inclusive arthouse cinema.
  
  
• Lukáš Berberich (Slovakia) – film curator and co-founder of Kino Úsmev, an art-house cinema and audiovisual culture centre in Košice.
  
  
• Elena Ciofalo (Italy) – cultural project manager and Director of the Italian Short Film Center since 2025.

The CICAE Arthouse Cinema Award was conceived as an impetus for a film to have a wider recognition as a work of art and to stand as a mark of quality for cinema-goers and cinephiles.