The European Film Academy has been honoured with the "Médaille Charlemagne pour les Médias Européens", an award annually presented in the German city of Aachen in recognition of a contribution in the field of the media to the process of European unification and to the emergence of a European identity.
“The European Film Academy is a Europe-wide institution that unites film-makers from nearly all European countries under one roof. It has given European film culture a face and has contributed greatly to the reputation and acceptance of European film productions improving over the last few years,” said Michael Kayser, Chairman of the “Médaille Charlemagne” association, about the decision of the jury.
Accepting the award was EFA President Wim Wenders. “Film is an important institution to bring us closer to each other,” he said and pointed out that the Charlemagne Medal, the first award the EFA ever received, is an important statement for film in Europe.
The laudatory speech was held by Greek-French director Constantin Costa-Gavras, himself a member of the European Film Academy. "This academy and the people who are in it have been committed to Europe’s identity and we promise to continue with this commitment", he said.
The award is presented annually in the German city of Aachen by the association "Médaille Charlemagne pour les médias Européens". Last year's recopient was the British historian Timothy Garton Ash.
State Secretary Marc Jan Eumann, Costa-Gavras, EFA President Wim Wenders, EFA Director Marion Döring, the Lord Mayor of Aachen, Marcel Philipp, and Michael Kayser, Chairman of the “Médaille Charlemagne” association