The German-Austrian comedy drama "Toni Erdmann" has swept this year's European Film Awards. It picked up five gongs at a ceremony in the Polish city of Wroclaw.
Ade got the nod as best European director and screenwriter, while Sandra Hueller was named best European actress for the female lead, and Peter Simonischek of Austria won best European actor for the role of Toni Erdmann.
"I hope this isn't getting boring," Ade joked, as her film cleaned up at the European Film AwardsImage: picture alliance/dpa/M. Kulczynski
The 29th European Film Awards took place in the Western Polish city of Wroclaw.
Other winners included "A Man Called Ove," a Swedish/Norwegian production which picked up Best European Comedy, "The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Maki," which won the European Discovery (Prix Fipresci) award, and the Franco-Swiss production "My Life as a Zucchini," which was awarded best European Animated Feature Film.
Saturday night's awards show was peppered with political commentary by presenters, with a focus on the plight of refugees and Russia.
Maria Alyokhina from the jailed punk rock group Pussy Riot appealed for the release of Oleg Sentsov, a Ukrainian director serving a 20-year prison term in Russia on terrorism charges seen as politically motivated.
The European Film Awards 2016: the most important nominations
Nominees for the European Film Awards 2016 - the continent's answer to the Oscars - are in. A range of genres are on the list of the year's best films, as announced ahead of the awards ceremony in Wroclaw, Poland.
Image: PROKINO
'I, Daniel Blake'
Which film will be recognized as Europe's best? That question will be answered on December 10, when the 29th European Film Awards will be held on in the Polish city of Wroclaw. Five films, among them Ken Loach's social drama "I, Daniel Blake," have been nominated in the most prestigious category "Best Film."
Image: PROKINO
'Toni Erdmann'
Despite being a critics' favorite in the contest for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, Maren Ade's comedy "Toni Erdmann" lost out where Ken Loach triumphed. The film remains a top contender at the European Film Awards. The comedy-drama stars Peter Simonischek and Sandra Hüller.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/Komplizen Film/NFP marketing & distribution
'Julieta'
Number three among the five films nominated in the category "Best Film" is Pedro Almodóvar's "Julieta." Most observers seem to expect a close run between Ken Loach and Maren Ade. But Almodóvar could well bring about a surprise. His melodrama "Julieta" is considered his strongest film in a long time.
Image: imago/ZUMA Press
'Elle'
Paul Verhoeven's thriller "Elle," starring Isabelle Huppert, is seen as yet another very promising film. The French actress plays a tough business woman in the Dutch director's rape drama. Following a sexual assault, she tries to stalk her assailant back herself.
Image: MFA+
'Room'
Also competing in the "Best Film" category is the Irish-Canadian drama "Room." Much to the surprise of many, its main star Brie Larson won an Oscar as "Best Actress." The movie tells the story of a mother and her young daughter who were locked up in a small room for years.
Image: Universal Pictures
'He's Back'
Like the Golden Globes, the European Film Awards make a distinction between "Best Film" and "Best Comedy." Three works by European filmmakers have been nominated in the latter category. Surprisingly, the German Hitler pastiche "He's Back" is among them. The mockumentary by David Wnendt faces off against a film from Sweden and one from France.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/Constantin Film Verleih GmbH
Sandra Hüller
Should "Toni Erdmann" not be awarded the main prize, Sandra Hüller still has a second chance at a European Film Award. The German actress has also been nominated as "Best Actress," competing with Isabelle Huppert and Swedish star Trine Dyrholm, who won the Silver Bear for her performance in "The Commune."
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/Komplizen Film
Burghart Klaussner
Germany also stands a good chance when it comes to the category "Best Actor," as Burghart Klaussner has been nominated for his performance in the Nazi hunter thriller "Fritz Bauer." His competitors are Hugh Grant and Spanish actor Javier Cámara.
Image: Martin Valentin Menke/Alamode Film/dpa
'Fire at Sea'
Documentary films are given their own category at the 29th European Film Awards. A favorite here is the Italian documentary "Fire at Sea" featuring the plight of refugees in the Mediterranean. At the Berlinale Film Festival in February, "Fire at Sea" won the Golden Bear.
Image: 21 Uno Film/Weltkino Filmverleih
'Under the Sand'
While winners in the main categories will not be announced before the awards ceremony on the evening of December 10, the winners in some other categories are already known. The German-Danish war drama "Under the Sand" has already received two European Film Awards, namely in the categories "Best Make-up" and "Best Costume."
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/Koch Media
Pierce Brosnan
This gentleman has a good reason to smile. This year, Irish actor Pierce Brosnan will be honored with a lifetime achievement award. After all, Brosnan, world famous for his performances as James Bond, has also delivered brilliant performances in all kinds of roles and genres. He is also convincing as a comedian - like here in Tim Burton's "Mars Attacks!"
Image: Getty Images/Warner Bros.
Wroclaw, the European Capital of Culture
This year, the ceremony will take place in the Polish city of Wroclaw - presently the European Capital of Culture. Since 1988, the European Film Awards have been held at rotating locations. Even in its 29th year, the European Film Awards cannot seriously compete with the Oscars - but that's certainly not due to the quality of the films.
