Tonight, the César Ceremony 2025 celebrates its 50th edition at L’Olympia in Paris, broadcast live on Canal+. Top contenders include “The Count of Monte Cristo,” with 14 nominations, “L’Amour ouf,” and “Emilia Perez.” Jacques Audiard sets a record with 26 nominations. The event features 25 awards, hosted by Jean-Pascal Zadi, with honors presented by Catherine Deneuve. The Academy also emphasizes its commitment to combatting violence within the industry.
Tonight marks a significant milestone in French cinema as the César Ceremony 2025 unfolds at the iconic L’Olympia hall in Paris. This 50th edition will be broadcast live and free on Canal+, with streaming available on myCANAL.
Top Contenders for 2025 César Awards
As we anticipate the announcement of this year’s winners, the spotlight is on what films will take home prestigious awards. Following the success of Justine Triet’s “Anatomy of a Fall” in 2024, contenders like “The Count of Monte Cristo,” “L’Amour ouf,” and Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Perez” are generating buzz. Among these, “The Count of Monte Cristo” leads with an impressive 14 nominations, closely followed by “L’Amour ouf” with 13 and “Emilia Perez” with 12. Dive into the full list of nominations to see who made the cut!
Favorites: Monte Cristo, L’amour ouf, and Emilia Perez
The Count of Monte Cristo has hit a home run at the box office, attracting 9.4 million viewers and securing its place as the second most popular film of 2024. With a total of 14 nominations, it’s recognized not only in technical categories but also in major ones such as Best Film, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. It’s shaping up to be a night of celebration!
The Count of Monte Cristo
L’Amour ouf has also made a strong showing with 13 nominations. It drew 4.9 million admissions, ranking fifth in the annual box office. Despite its acclaim, it notably missed nominations for Best Film and Best Screenplay.
L’Amour ouf
While these films highlight the best of French cinema this year, one notable absence is “Un P’tit truc en plus,” which, despite 10.8 million admissions, received only a single nomination for Best First Film. Many had expected nominations for its talented cast, including the charming Arnaud Toupense and Ludovic Boul. Additionally, it’s important to note that the César for the public has been discontinued, leaving Artus without further chances for recognition.
Jacques Audiard: A César Legend
In a remarkable achievement, Jacques Audiard has become the most nominated individual in César history. With three new nominations for “Emilia Perez,” his total now stands at 26! Having already secured the award 10 times, he is poised to set a new record at this landmark ceremony.
What to Expect: César Awards Breakdown
This year’s ceremony will present 25 César awards, 24 of which will be decided by a voting process. The Honorary César is specially designated, chosen by the Academy itself.
The awards span various categories, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor/Actress, and Best Documentary, among others. Notably, the César for high school students has been awarded since 2019, with the winners announced shortly after the main ceremony on March 3, 2025. Over 1,800 high school students will weigh in on the Best Film nominees.
Since 2022, the Visual Effects category has been a part of the awards, and the Best Documentary Short Film category has made a return after being absent since 1991. Each year, films are recognized across three short film genres: fiction, animation, and documentary.
Ceremony Hosts and Presenters
This year’s César Ceremony will be hosted by Jean-Pascal Zadi, featuring a star-studded lineup of presenters including Emmanuelle Béart, Alice Belaïdi, and more. The event will be creatively directed by Cédric Klapisch.
Presidential Honors and Tributes
Catherine Deneuve will graciously preside over this special 50th anniversary ceremony. Additionally, Julia Roberts and Costa Gavras are set to receive Honorary Césars. A heartfelt tribute will also be paid to those we have lost this year, with special recognition for the legendary Alain Delon, alongside other notable figures in French cinema such as Michel Blanc and Anouk Aimée.
Academy’s Commitment to Combatting Violence
The Academy of Arts and Techniques of Cinema has announced its commitment to enhancing efforts against violence in the industry. In light of recent events, they declared that any participant in an eligible film who faces legal issues regarding acts of violence will not be highlighted during the ceremony. This policy extends to all Academy events, reinforcing their dedication to ensure a respectful and safe environment.
The Academy has implemented a Charter aimed at combatting all forms of violence, which members will uphold as part of their professional responsibilities. In cases of judicial implications related to violence, members may face suspension of voting rights or exclusion pending the outcome of legal proceedings.