France’s iconic César Awards returned to the stage on February 28, 2025, marking their 50th anniversary at the majestic Olympia Theatre in Paris. This year’s ceremony showcased remarkable cinematic talent with swashbuckler The Count of Monte Cristo, star-crossed drama Beaten Hearts, and the vibrant musical Emilia Pérez among the nominees, forming the backbone of the evening’s celebration.
Leading the nominations was The Count of Monte Cristo, directed by Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de La Patellière, which garnered 14 nominations. Following closely were Beaten Hearts with 13 nominations, and Emilia Pérez with 12. The César Academy, made up of approximately 5,000 members, voted on the awards, aiming to recognize outstanding French productions released within the past year. “We’re particularly happy this year because there’s a rich variety in the nominations,” said César Academy President Patrick Sobelman, emphasizing the blend of mainstream and festival successes.
At the ceremony, Jacques Audiard's Emilia Pérez emerged as the big winner, taking home seven awards including Best Film and Best Director. Audiard expressed his gratitude to his team and highlighted the passion behind his project. Despite previous controversies surrounding the actress Karla Sofía Gascón, who faced backlash over offensive tweets, the filmmakers chose to focus on the achievements of the film. Gascón, along with co-star Zoe Saldana, attended the ceremony under the media spotlight, though she did not secure the Best Actress award, which went to Hafsia Herzi for her compelling role in Borgo.
The event also marked Julia Roberts receiving an honorary César, and her co-star Clive Owen presented the award, delighting the audience with fond memories of their collaborations. Roberts, visibly moved, praised French cinema and expressed her deep gratitude for the recognition, adding to the evening's emotionally charged atmosphere. Catherine Deneuve, presiding over the ceremony, dedicated the event to Ukraine, showcasing her staunch support for humanitarian issues.
A poignant moment came from Abou Sangaré, who won Best Male Revelation for his role as an immigrant in Souleymane’s Story. He shared how the experience of the film changed his life dramatically as he spoke about securing his visa after several attempts. His heartfelt words were among numerous highlights throughout the night.
The César Awards this year noted the absence of women directors nominated for Best Director following Justine Triet’s achievements the previous year. Sobelman addressed this issue, calling attention to the nominations for Best First Film, where female directors are represented. While this year’s ceremony showcased the breadth of talent across diverse genres, the lack of recognition for women filmmakers sparked discussions on the future direction of the awards.
This year’s ceremony, produced by Cédric Klapisch, aimed to deliver not just awards but also entertainment, creating suspense and excitement similar to the Academy Awards. The makeup of presenters, including various notable actors and filmmakers, reflected the spirit of collaboration and celebration within French cinema.
Reflecting on the past, the awards began as early as April 1976 with the inaugural ceremony, where The Old Gun took the top honors. Over the years, the Césars have witnessed both triumphs and controversies, particularly the upheaval following the 2020 scandal surrounding gender equality and harassment within the Academy.
Since then, the Academy has taken significant steps to improve transparency and inclusivity, with gender parity initiatives now ensuring equal representation across various chapters. The enacted charter aiming to curb sexual violence within the film industry was also highlighted as key progress.
Overall, the evening celebrated not only the past achievements of French cinema but also looked forward, promising to adapt and grow to meet the changing times. “If this 50th ceremony is successful, it can only help with the reputation and appeal of the Césars moving forward,” remarked Toscan du Plantier, reflecting on the future of the award show.
All eyes will be on the César awards, especially with the Academy Awards approaching closely following the ceremony. How the French films perform on international stages and the influence of this year’s victories remain to be seen.
The ceremony, broadcast free to viewers via Canal+, reached audiences not only within France but around the world, illustrating the universal appeal of French cinema.