France has long been a beacon of cinematic excellence, and its prestigious film festivals continue to set the benchmark for artistry, storytelling, and filmmaking innovation. Over the past year, French film festivals have celebrated an outstanding selection of films, recognising both established and emerging talent in the global film industry. From the grandeur of Cannes to the intimate yet influential Champs-Élysées Film Festival, these events reaffirm France’s status as the epicentre of world cinema.
2025 César Awards
Date: February 28, 2025
Location: Paris, France
The César Awards, France’s equivalent to the Academy Awards, honoured a spectacular range of films and performances, solidifying the country’s cinematic dominance.
- Best Film: Emilia Pérez – Directed by Jacques Audiard
- Best Director: Jacques Audiard (Emilia Pérez)
- Best Adapted Screenplay: Jacques Audiard, Thomas Bidegain, Léa Mysius, and Nicolas Livecchi (Emilia Pérez)
- Best Actress: Hafsia Herzi (Borgo)
- Best Actor: Karim Leklou (Le Roman de Jim)
- Best Supporting Actress: [Information not available]
- Best Supporting Actor: [Information not available]
- Best Foreign Film: The Zone of Interest – Directed by Jonathan Glazer
Lumiere Awards – January 20, 2025
Best film: Emilia Perez dir. Jacques Audiard
Best director: Jacques Audiard for Emilia Perez
Best screenplay: Jacques Audiard for Emilia Perez
Best documentary: Dahomey dir. Mati Diop
Best animated film: Flow dir. Gints Zilbalodis
Best actress: Karla Sofía Gascón for Emilia Perez
Best actor: Abou Sangare for Souleymane’s Story
Most promising actress: Ghjuvanna Benedetti for The Kingdom
Most promising actor: Clément Faveau for Holy Cow
Best first film: Holy Cow dir. Louise Courvoisier
Best international co-production: The Seed Of The Sacred Fig dir. Mohammad Rasoulof
Best cinematography: Nicolas Bolduc for The Count Of Monte-Cristo
Best music: Camille and Clément Ducol for Emilia Perez
The 77th Cannes Film Festival
Date: May 14–25, 2024
Location: Cannes, France
The Cannes Film Festival remains the crown jewel of international film festivals, bringing together filmmakers, actors, and cinephiles from across the globe. The 77th edition saw some of the most compelling and thought-provoking films recognised for their artistic achievements.
- Palme d’Or: Anora – Directed by Sean Baker
- Grand Prix: All We Imagine as Light – Directed by Payal Kapadia
- Jury Prize: Emilia Pérez – Directed by Jacques Audiard
- Best Director: Miguel Gomes (Grand Tour)
- Best Screenplay: Coralie Fargeat (The Substance)
- Best Actress: Adriana Paz, Karla Sofía Gascón, Selena Gomez, and Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez)
- Best Actor: Jesse Plemons (Kinds of Kindness)
Notable Screenings: - Opening Film: The Second Act – Directed by Quentin Dupieux
- Out of Competition Premiere: Megalopolis – Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, starring Adam Driver
Special Honors: - Honorary Palme d’Or: Meryl Streep
- Studio Ghibli: The first animation studio to receive an Honorary Palme d’Or
- George Lucas: Honored during the closing ceremony for his contributions to cinema
Other Prestigious French Film Festivals
2024 Deauville American Film Festival
A prestigious celebration of American cinema in France, held in the beautiful seaside town of Deauville. - Best Film (Grand Prix): In the Summers – Directed by Alessandra Lacorazza Samudio
- Jury Prize: The Knife – Directed by Nnamdi Asomugha
- Revelation Prize: In the Summers
2024 Champs-Élysées Film Festival
A key festival bridging French and American independent cinema, bringing fresh and bold narratives to Paris. - Best American Independent Feature Film: Good One – Directed by India Donaldson
- Best French Independent Feature Film: Diaries from Lebanon – Directed by Myriam El Hajj
- Best American Director: Nathan Silver (Between the Temples)
- Best French Director: Caroline Poggi & Jonathan Vinel (Eat the Night)
- Audience Award – Best American Independent Film: I Saw the TV Glow – Directed by Jane Schoenbrun
- Audience Award – Best French Independent Film: Habibi, chanson pour mes ami.e.s – Directed by Florent Gouëlou
2024 Bordeaux International Independent Film Festival
A festival dedicated to recognizing boundary-pushing independent films. - Grand Prix Contrebande: The Roller, the Life, the Fight – Directed by Elettra Bisogno and Hazem Alqaddi
As we look ahead, the anticipation for future editions, promising another year of unforgettable cinematic artistry. France remains at the heart of the film world, set the direction for innovation, talent, and storytelling mastery.
