French Cinema Celebrates a Night of Firsts at the César Awards 2026
The 51st César Awards, France’s equivalent of the Oscars, saw a historic win for director and actor Pierre Niney with “L’Attachement,” which was crowned Best Film on Friday, February 27, 2026. The ceremony also marked the first César win for Niney and featured a standing ovation for American actor Jim Carrey.
Laurent Lafitte and Léa Drucker took home the awards for Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively, for their performances. The awards recognize their contributions to French cinema and add to a night of significant achievements for the industry.
The ceremony wasn’t without its moments of levity and surprise. Benjamin Lavernhe garnered attention for an unexpected tribute to Jim Carrey, injecting a playful energy into the proceedings. The gesture reportedly “shook up the ceremony like never before.”
Eric Neuhoff described the event as “sober, clean and decent,” suggesting a return to a more refined and focused celebration of French filmmaking. The César Awards are a key event in the French cultural calendar, highlighting the best in national cinema and providing a platform for its stars.
“L’Attachement’s” win is expected to further elevate the profile of French cinema on the international stage, and the recognition for Lafitte and Drucker solidifies their positions as leading figures in the industry.
