The European Film Academy has announced three new board appointments, with Ada Solomon to become chair and Leontine Petit and Matthieu Darras to be deputy chairs.
The EFA membership recently concluded its voting procedures for the 2026 intake, and as well as re-electing 10 members, the election results secure the three new appointments for the board for the next two years.
Romanian producer Solomon has been elected chair of the institution’s board, while Dutch producer Petit and France’s Darras have both been elected as deputy chairs.
The two-year mandate will start on 1 January 2026.
Solomon has served on the Academy board for six years as deputy chair herself alongside outgoing chair Mike Downey, and was a regular board member before.
Petit has been a regular board member since 2021, while Darras has been elected without previous experience within the board of the European Film Academy, but has been an active Academy member and brings “extensive industry knowhow with him into his new position”, the EFA said.
Solomon reacted to her election by saying: “Being part of the European Film Academy board for a decade now, I took the responsibility to promote excellence in filmmaking in all the diversity of the European cinematic voices, but also to put the spotlight on the less visible ones – the smaller territories, the underrepresented forms of cinema, the crews behind the camera.
“It is a time of change, and I am ready to take the challenge knowing that I am backed up by the great executive team of the Academy and the amazing people in the board of the European Film Academy, and especially the newly elected deputy chairs: Leontine Petit and Matthieu Darras.”
Outgoing chair Downey added: “To quote Shakespeare, ‘Parting is such sweet sorrow.’ But I am happy to leave the Academy in good shape and fit for purpose for the future.
“I welcome all new members in the new intake of 2026, and I am sure that their contribution to the membership of the European Film Academy going forwards will be as positive and as committed as the boards of recent years – who have not asked for what the European Film Academy can do for them, but demonstrated ably what they can do for the Academy.”
The board of the European Film Academy consists of 19 representatives and meets in a rhythm of three times a year in various locations in Europe to confirm procedures and regulations, discuss and support strategies developed by the Academy management, and confirm nominations voted for by Academy members.
Information on the full board is available on the European Film Academy website.
