SIGNIS Europe has announced that Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof’s film The Seed of the Sacred Fig will receive the Best European Film of the Year 2024 award. This German-French co-production was selected through a rigorous two-round voting process involving SIGNIS members from 23 European countries. Established in 2008, this annual award aims to recognize and promote emerging European cinema that demonstrates exceptional artistic merit while conveying meaningful messages.
The Seed of the Sacred Fig previously received international acclaim after winning the Ecumenical Jury Prize at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. In their motivation for the award, the jury praised the film as a powerful Iranian family drama that explores the destructive impact of religion when intertwined with political power and patriarchal structures.
“The jury was impressed by the film’s rich symbolism, its hopeful ending, its touches of humor, and its heartbreaking tension,” stated the Ecumenical Jury. “The subtlety and sobriety of its dramatic and cinematic writing make it a metaphor for any authoritarian theocracy.”
Four other notable films as runners-up in this year’s competition:
- Los destellos (Glimmers) by Spanish filmmaker Pilar Palomero
- Loveable by Norwegian director Lilja Ingolfsdottir
- Souleymane’s Story (L’Histoire de Souleymane) by French filmmaker Boris Lojkine
- There’s Still Tomorrow (C’è ancora domani) by Italian director Paola Cortellesi
The recognition of Rasoulof’s work is significant for the director, who has faced political persecution in his country or his outspoken criticism of the regime. This award-winning film continues its tradition of using powerful storytelling to shed light on social and political issues.
SIGNIS Europe represents one of six regional divisions of SIGNIS worldwide. Its mission is to promote quality cinema that combines artistic excellence with profound human values. The organization’s film awards have become important markers of exceptional European cinema that explores the intersection of faith, society, and human dignity.
This award highlights the continued vitality of European cinema in addressing complex social themes through compelling storytelling and artistic innovation.