The Belgian filmmaking duo Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne have been awarded the Ecumenical Prize at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival for their latest work, Young Mothers (Jeunes Mères). The Belgium-France co-production, which competed in the festival’s official selection, continues the brothers’ tradition of crafting intimate social dramas with profound moral resonance.
The film centers on teenage mothers living in a dedicated motherhouse, exploring their struggles and resilience in challenging circumstances. True to the Dardenne brothers’ signature style, Young Mothers finds its ethical foundation not through grand dramatic gestures but in quiet, persistent acts of care and compassion.
According to the Ecumenical Jury, the film touches upon “the first and utmost important relationship of every human life” – motherhood. The jury praised how the work reveals a profound truth about human nature: that love can endure even when traditional family structures fail and when young people are burdened with adult responsibilities beyond their years.
The jury’s statement emphasized how the film demonstrates that “even small yet persistent acts of love and care of individuals and institutions can heal the deepest wounds.”
The Dardenne brothers are renowned for their naturalistic approach to filmmaking and focus on working-class characters facing moral dilemmas. “Young Mothers” represents another evolution in their refined cinematic style, adding new elements while maintaining their commitment to authentic storytelling.
The 2025 Ecumenical Jury was composed of Anne-Cécile Antoni and Arielle Domon from France, Thomas D. Fischer and Roland Wicher from Germany, Milja Radović from the United Kingdom, and President Lukas Jirsa from the Czech Republic.