The 50th César Awards Ceremony took place on February 28, 2025, at the historic Olympia theater in Paris, marking half a century of honoring cinematic achievements in France. This year, the ceremony not only celebrated artistic talent but also highlighted significant political themes, making it one of the most memorable evenings of recognition and reflection within the film community.
Highlighting this year's event was the victory of Jacques Audiard's film, Emilia Pérez, which took home seven awards, including the prestigious titles of Best Film, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. The film's success at the 2025 César Awards puts it squarely on the map as it heads toward the Academy Awards, where it also garnered 13 nominations but had seen diminishing expectations leading up to the ceremony.
During her opening remarks, iconic actress Catherine Deneuve dedicated the evening to Ukraine, symbolically pinning on a brooch featuring the country's colors. "I dedicate this ceremony to Ukraine," she stated, underscoring the gravity of the moment and drawing attention to the pressing global issues facing the world today, which echoed throughout various speeches during the event.
Despite the evening's celebratory atmosphere, the political undercurrents were undeniably strong. Jonathan Glazer, who won Best Foreign Film for The Zone of Interest, contributed to the dialogue with his poignant absence. His message, read aloud during the ceremony, expressed concern over the dehumanization resulting from violence and conflict, particularly pertaining to the current events surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian crisis. "The fact so many people came to see our film is extraordinary. It is alarming... acts of terror against innocents are made possible by dehumanization," his message concluded, receiving resounding applause from the audience.
Hafsia Herzi's win for Best Actress for her role in Borgo surprised many, particularly with Zoe Saldaña nominated for her performance in Emilia Pérez. The snub of the favored actress marks just one of the several unexpected outcomes of the ceremony. Alongside her, Karim Leklou received the Best Actor award for his portrayal in Jim's Story, securing recognition for his powerful performance.
Abou Sangaré, who won the Best Male Revelation prize, shared his harrowing story of overcoming adversity, delivering an impactful speech grounded in his own experiences. "Before crossing the Mediterranean, I knew misery... Thank you for reintegrated me to humanity," he humbly acknowledged, earning heartfelt applause from attendees. His acceptance underscored the humanistic aspect of the night, where personal stories intertwined with larger societal narratives.
With Emilia Pérez sweeping multiple categories, including Best Visual Effects and Best Cinematography, the film demonstrates not only commercial success but also artistic merit, leading one to expect it to be competitive at the upcoming Oscars. The audience witnessed impressive productions such as The Count of Monte Cristo and Souleymane's Story, both of which received recognition but felt the brunt of Emilia Pérez's triumph.
Chiming with current events, Costa-Gavras was also honored at the ceremony, where he touched upon themes related to global crises. The 92-year-old director made statements supporting France's welcoming stance toward refugees and artists, urging attendees to reflect on the values of humanity and solidarity. His speech, like many of the evening, rooted itself deeply within contemporary political discourse.
Gilles Perret, accepting the award for Best Documentary for La Ferme des Bertrand, dedicated his win to those fighting for their right to work, emphasizing the importance of societal structures like schools and hospitals. This aligns with many speakers who reiterated the necessity for public awareness of labor conditions and the rights of workers.
The award show was not just about celebrating winners but also included humorous aspects, with comedian Jean-Pascal Zadi delivering light-hearted jokes, reminding guests of the importance of maintaining humor, even during serious discussions. His humorous remarks interjected moments of laughter, contrasting the weight of some topics addressed throughout the ceremonies.
Overall, the 2025 César Awards delivered not only recognition of French cinema's finest but also engaged with pressing social and political issues, reflecting the ways through which film can act as both art and commentary. With the ceremony, this year's winners and nominees have set the tone for the cinematic discussions to emerge through 2025.