Inspired by a successfully and passionately run model in Québec, the Prix collégial du cinéma québécois (PCCQ), Filmfest Hamburg and the European Film Academy (EFA) launched in 2016 the European University Film Award (EUFA) - presented and voted by European university students. The aim of this initiative is to involve a younger audience, to spread the "European idea" and to transport the spirit of European cinema to an audience of university students. It shall also support film dissemination, film education and the culture of debating. In 2019 it became an official category of the European Film Awards.
Since its First Edition in 2016 the number of participating countries grew constantly, starting from 13 universities from 13 different European countries in the first year and now seeing 25 universities from 25 countries in 2020: Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom.
Based on the selection for the European Film Award 2020 five films from five European countries will be nominated for the 5th European University Film Award and be announced on September 29. These five films will be viewed and discussed in the respective university classes and each institution selects its favourite film. One student representative for each of the 25 universities will participate in a a three-day deliberation meeting in December 2020. During those three days the students will discuss all films together, exchange arguments and vote for the winner. Due to the COVID-19 situation and restrictions in Europe this deliberation meeting will be held digital.The winner will then be announced on 10 December, and be presented during this year's European Film Awards Ceremony on 12 December. The 5th European University Film Award is funded by the Minister of State for Culture and the Media.