2012 LUX Cinema Prize – winner

lo sono Li (Shun Li and the Poet), a film by Andrea Segre, was awarded the 2012 LUX Cinema Prize in Strasbourg on Wednesday. European Parliament President Martin Schulz presented the award to Mr Segre in an official ceremony in the parliament's plenary chamber in Strasbourg. The film explores the problems of immigration and conflict between belonging to a traditional community and individual aspiration. It tells an attractive story of friendship that breaks down stereotypes and prejudices against "foreigners".

This year's other finalists were Csak a szél (Just the Wind) by Bence Fliegauf (Hungary, Germany, France) and Tabu by Miguel Gomes (Portugal, Germany, France, Brazil).

This year, for the first time since the Lux Prize was created in 2007, Parliament held "LUX Film Days" during which it screened the three finalist films in all member states, enabling thousands of citizens to see these European cinema productions.

Presenting the prize, President Schulz said: "the award helps to break down linguistic barriers and geographic frontiers, so as to enable as many people as possible to see these films, talk about them and hence contribute to a common European cultural area".

At the ceremony, producer Mr Segre said: "I thank Members of the European Parliament and the organisers of this prize, which is very important for the spread of independent European cinema, and enables it to air the problems and tensions of our societies, in Europe."

The European Parliament awards the LUX Prize each year to films that illustrate or question the fundamental values of the European identity, explore Europe's cultural diversity or offer views on the process of building Europe itself.

As part of the prize, Parliament paid for the three finalist films to be subtitled in all EU official languages for the LUX Film days. Parliament will also pay for the original version of the winning film to be adapted for hearing and visually impaired people and for tailored promotion of its releases.