The three films are the finalists for this year’s LUX Prize from the Parliament and are being brought to cinemas across Europe during the LUX Film days from this month until February 2020.

“Cold case Hammarskjöld”, “The realm”, and “God exists, her name Is Petrunya” are very different films, but they have some things in common: they are European and their stories make us think about politics, values, traditions and they challenge our preconceptions.

Discover them during the LUX Film Days from October to February and vote for your favourite.

The LUX Film Days

Film lovers can watch the three contenders during the LUX Film Days at film festivals or cinemas in all EU countries from October 2019 to February 2020. Screenings are planned in more than 50 cities including major film festivals. To make them available to everyone, the European Parliament pays for the subtitling into the EU’s 24 official languages. Check the free-of-charge screenings in your country here.

Vote for your favourite film before 31 January and you have the chance to win a trip to the Karlovy Vary International film festival in the Czech Republic next July to personally announce the winner of the audience mention prize.

Special events

Three simultaneous screenings offer an opportunity to discuss the films with their directors.

The directors will be in Brussels, but you can join in online and send your questions through Twitter and Facebook even from your sofa at home:

• Wednesday 6 November with director Teona Mitevska following the screening of “God exists, her name Is Petrunya”
• Thursday 7 November with director Rodrigo Sorogoyen following the screening of “The realm”
• Friday 8 November with director Mads Brügger following the screening of “Cold case Hammarskjöld’

All of the screenings begin at 8pm CET.

The three films

Cold Case Hammarskjöld by Danish director Mads Brügger

Dag Hammarskjöld died in a suspicious plane crash in 1961 on his way to ceasefire negotiations in order to resolve a conflict in Katanga, Congo, in which significant economic interests were at stake. The Swedish UN Secretary General was a progressive politician who wanted to prevent Western countries such as Britain and France from reinstating their influence in Africa, after colonies had gained independence. Brügger’s slow-building documentary sheds light onto the mystery. This is the third time in the LUX Prize’s history that a documentary is among the three finalists.

God Exists, Her Name Is Petrunya by NorthernMacedonian director Teona Strugar Mitevska

What happens when a women takes part in a race traditionally reserved for men and manages to get hold of a holy cross that an Orthodox priest throws into a river? Petrunya does precisely that and enrages both the men and the priest, who draws the police into the case. Although not initially a feminist, Petrunya refuses to give in to demands that she return the cross and fights for equal rights. “Why don’t I have the right to a year of good fortune?” she asks referring to the “prize” for the winner of the contest.

The Realm by Spanish director Rodrigo Sorogoyen

How far will someone go to hold on to power? This adrenaline-charged thriller deals with political corruption. It tells the story of the demise of a successful politician and his fiefdom, which had looked destined to last forever. Get ready for bitter arguments, tense car chases and clashes with a probing press.

Selecting the winning film

MEPs choose the winning film. The winner will be announced during the award ceremony on 27 November during the plenary session in Strasbourg.

About the Lux Film Prize

The European Parliament awards the Lux Film Prize every year with the aim of supporting the production and distribution of European films, stimulating reflection on current political and social issues and celebrating European culture.

October 18, 2019 European Trade Mark and Design Network

European Cooperation: Transposition of Trade Mark Directive Malta

The Maltese Commerce Department (IPRD), responsible for Industrial Property in Malta, has launched an updated version of their software to address the various changes required to comply with the transposition of the Trade Mark Directive.

The main changes to the front and back office e-filing systems include: implementing a pre-registration opposition process including changes to internal processes, rules and letters; an improved publication system; changes to public data visible in publications and oppositions; adding new forms of marks.

Further cooperation projects with the IPRD are planned in the coming months to continue improving processes for the staff and users of the Maltese office.

In total, the EUIPO and its stakeholders are collaborating on five major European Cooperation Projects, with the main aim of benefiting users across the EU by providing modern, state-of-the-art tools and services for EU IP offices.

Luxembourg, 7 October 2019

An Agreement on Criminal Justice Cooperation was signed today in Luxembourg between Eurojust, the EU’s Judicial Cooperation Unit, and the Kingdom of Denmark to continue their joint fight against cross-border organised crime, following approval by the European Council. The agreement enables transnational operational and strategic cooperation under the new Eurojust Regulation, as it allows Denmark to second a Representative to Eurojust to coordinate its criminal investigations and prosecutions with other Member States as well as third countries that have a cooperation agreement with Eurojust. Mr Ladislav Hamran, President of Eurojust, and Mr Nick Hækkerup, Minister of Justice of Denmark, signed the agreement.

Mr Hamran said: ‘We welcome the signing of today’s agreement with Denmark, a Member State that has made an invaluable contribution to fighting organised crime in Europe, and has much more to offer in this regard in the future. This agreement allows Eurojust and Denmark to continue their successful cooperation under the Eurojust Regulation. We will be working together on current and upcoming cross-border cases to stop transnational crime and create a safer continent for all Europeans.’

Mr Hækkerup pointed out: ‘A strong cooperation across Europe is fundamental when fighting cross-border crime in the European Union. That is why, on behalf of Denmark, I am very thankful for this agreement, which ensures Denmark’s continuing cooperation through Eurojust. We will do our utmost to sustain our effective teamwork when combatting trafficking in human beings, drug trafficking or organised crime.’

Photo © Eurojust. From left to right: Ms Anna-Maja HENRIKSSON, Finnish Minister of Justice; Mr Nick HÆKKERUP, Danish Minister for Justice; Mr Ladislav HAMRAN, President of EUROJUST; Ms Tiina ASTOLA, European Commission’s Director General for Justice, Consumers and Gender equality

Continued judicial cooperation with Denmark

The agreement between Denmark and Eurojust takes into account the country’s situation, being at the same time a Member State but not a Member of Eurojust, under the Eurojust Regulation that enters into force in December 2019. The agreement will ensure continuity regarding the 76 ongoing Eurojust cases with Danish involvement for 2019, as well as future cases after the Danish National Desk at Eurojust ceases to exist. Denmark will maintain its access to Eurojust’s information systems and share personal data in criminal investigations and prosecutions via its seconded Representative, Deputy or Assistant.

The agreement provides for quick, safe and efficient exchange of case-related information and evidence between Denmark, other EU Member States and third countries, and contains extensive and robust data protection provisions to guarantee the same level of data protection as is observed throughout the European Union. Under the agreement, Denmark will have the status of an observer at Eurojust College meetings and the possibility to set up a full Desk. Moreover, Denmark, in its new role within Eurojust, will be subject to democratic oversight by its National Parliament, will be bound by the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice and the European Data Protection Supervisor, and will financially contribute to Eurojust’s budget.

More information
– Q & A on Eurojust
– Q & A on Denmark at Eurojust

Luxembourg, 7 October 2019

An Agreement on Criminal Justice Cooperation was signed today in Luxembourg between Eurojust, the EU’s Judicial Cooperation Unit, and the Kingdom of Denmark to continue their joint fight against cross-border organised crime, following approval by the European Council. The agreement enables transnational operational and strategic cooperation under the new Eurojust Regulation, as it allows Denmark to second a Representative to Eurojust to coordinate its criminal investigations and prosecutions with other Member States as well as third countries that have a cooperation agreement with Eurojust. Mr Ladislav Hamran, President of Eurojust, and Mr Nick Hækkerup, Minister of Justice of Denmark, signed the agreement.

Mr Hamran said: ‘We welcome the signing of today’s agreement with Denmark, a Member State that has made an invaluable contribution to fighting organised crime in Europe, and has much more to offer in this regard in the future. This agreement allows Eurojust and Denmark to continue their successful cooperation under the Eurojust Regulation. We will be working together on current and upcoming cross-border cases to stop transnational crime and create a safer continent for all Europeans.’

Mr Hækkerup pointed out: ‘A strong cooperation across Europe is fundamental when fighting cross-border crime in the European Union. That is why, on behalf of Denmark, I am very thankful for this agreement, which ensures Denmark’s continuing cooperation through Eurojust. We will do our utmost to sustain our effective teamwork when combatting trafficking in human beings, drug trafficking or organised crime.’

Photo © Eurojust. From left to right: Ms Anna-Maja HENRIKSSON, Finnish Minister of Justice; Mr Nick HÆKKERUP, Danish Minister for Justice; Mr Ladislav HAMRAN, President of EUROJUST; Ms Tiina ASTOLA, European Commission’s Director General for Justice, Consumers and Gender equality

Continued judicial cooperation with Denmark

The agreement between Denmark and Eurojust takes into account the country’s situation, being at the same time a Member State but not a Member of Eurojust, under the Eurojust Regulation that enters into force in December 2019. The agreement will ensure continuity regarding the 76 ongoing Eurojust cases with Danish involvement for 2019, as well as future cases after the Danish National Desk at Eurojust ceases to exist. Denmark will maintain its access to Eurojust’s information systems and share personal data in criminal investigations and prosecutions via its seconded Representative, Deputy or Assistant.

The agreement provides for quick, safe and efficient exchange of case-related information and evidence between Denmark, other EU Member States and third countries, and contains extensive and robust data protection provisions to guarantee the same level of data protection as is observed throughout the European Union. Under the agreement, Denmark will have the status of an observer at Eurojust College meetings and the possibility to set up a full Desk. Moreover, Denmark, in its new role within Eurojust, will be subject to democratic oversight by its National Parliament, will be bound by the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice and the European Data Protection Supervisor, and will financially contribute to Eurojust’s budget.

More information
– Q & A on Eurojust
– Q & A on Denmark at Eurojust