The 50th César Awards ceremony unfolded on February 28, 2025, at the prestigious Olympia venue in Paris, celebrating the best of French cinema over the past year. Under the esteemed presidency of Catherine Deneuve and the direction of Cédric Klapisch, the event highlighted numerous celebrated talents and films, culminating the wait of cinema enthusiasts eager for the results.
This year's awards were marked by the extraordinary successes of several films, most prominently Emilia Pérez, which took home the coveted title of Best Film. Directed by Jacques Audiard, this remarkable project dominated the ceremony, winning multiple awards and securing its place as the standout film of the evening.
Le Comte de Monte-Cristo, boasting 14 nominations, was also prominently featured at the event, alongside L'Amour ouf, which garnered 13 nominations. Emilia Pérez triumphed, not only seizing the Best Film award but also earning Audiard the Best Director title, plus wins for Best Adaptation and Best Original Score.
The awards for acting performances were equally captivating, with Hafsia Herzi taking the award for Best Actress for her role in Borgo. Fellow actor Karim Leklou surprised many by winning Best Actor for his performance in Le roman de Jim. He humbly expressed his disbelief, stating, "It's not normal what is happening..." following his unexpected win.
Backstage, the atmosphere was electric, filled with joy and pride as winners reflected on their journeys. The night honored not only prominent cinematic achievements but also the significant contributions of less recognized talents. Notably, Nina Meurisse won Best Supporting Actress for her role in L'histoire de Souleymane, and Alain Chabat secured Best Supporting Actor for L'amour ouf.
A highlight of the evening was the awards for new talents. Maïwenn Barthelemy, recognized as Best Female Revelation for her role in Vingt Dieux, stood alongside Abou Sangaré, who claimed the title of Best Male Revelation for his performance in L'histoire de Souleymane.
The technical categories showcased France's artistic excellence, with Emilia Pérez dominating with awards for Best Photography, Best Original Score, and securing multiple wins for its visual storytelling. It was hard not to notice the film's well-deserved acclaim when competing against productions like Le Comte de Monte-Cristo, which received accolades for Best Production Design and Best Costumes.
One of the most charming entries of the evening was the animated film Flow, crafted by Latvian director Gints Zilbalodis, which won the César for Best Animation. The visual narrative, framed around the story of a cat overcoming its fear of water, showcased the beauty and creativity of global animation. This film has already amassed accolades worldwide, including the Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature and nominations for the Oscars.
The night also paid homage to cinematic legends. Costa-Gavras received an honorary César for his remarkable contributions to political thrillers over his career, and Julia Roberts was recognized with another honorary César, marking her impactful presence on international cinema.
Despite the competitive atmosphere, the charity and support within the community were palpable. With Emilia Pérez winning the most awards of the night, totaling seven, it stood as the night’s biggest achiever, substantially outpacing heavyweights like Le Comte de Monte-Cristo and L'Amour ouf.
While the global cinematic community continues to debate favorites and underdogs, the César Awards proved once again to be the pinnacle of recognition for French cinema, showcasing not just talent but also the evolution of storytelling. The event was marked by moments of surprise, laughter, and overwhelming pride as the winners celebrated their achievements with tears and joyous applause.