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The César Awards, the French version of the Oscars, was held on 26 February 2026, honouring the best French films of 2025. With ten French Film Festival films nominated over 18 categories, here are three winners from this year's César Awards.
Inspired by true events; in 1982, President François Mitterrand launched an international competition to design the Great Arch of La Défense. A darkly comic and thought-provoking film.
WINNER OF TWO CÉSAR AWARDS:
Best Production Design
Best Visual Effects
Best Actress winner Léa Drucker plays Stéphanie, an investigator of police misconduct, who is assigned Case 137 involving a young man who is left in a critical condition after being struck by a rubber bullet during a demonstration in Paris.
WINNER OF ONE CÉSAR AWARD:
Best Actress
Award winner Nadia Melliti stars as Fatima, the young teenager of a Franco-Algerian Muslim family in Paris. Discovering she is attracted to women, she is torn between faith and belonging, and desire, freedom, and self-discovery.
WINNER OF ONE CÉSAR AWARD:
Best Female Revelation
Big names on the big screen: watch the latest from these stars of French cinema as they pull double duty and feature in two films at this year's Festival!
As seen in:
How to Make a Killing (Un ours dans le Jura)
AF FFF25
Iris and the Men (Iris et les Hommes)
AF FFF24
Two Tickets to Greece (Les Cyclades)
AF FFF23
Calamy plays Nadine who, with her husband Tony, look after a villa on a rich estate, owned by the condescending Trousselard family. This sharp dark comedy delivers a biting portrait of class privilege.
This witty family comedy stars Calamy as Marguerite, who sees no reason to refuse her ex-husband when he asks for an annulment. An insightful exploration of love’s complexities.
As seen in:
The Divine Sarah Bernhardt (Sarah Bernhardt, La Divine)
AF FFF25
The Count of Monte Cristo (Le Comte de Monte-Cristo)
AF FFF25
See You Up There (Au revoir là-haut)
AF FFF18
Laurent Lafitte stars in Jérôme Commandeur’s latest comedy about friendship, memory, and the passage of time. Can a group of old friends finally face their issues, or will their high school reunion change nothing at all?
Winning a César for Best Actor, Lafitte plays Pierre-Alain, a lively dandy, writer and photographer in this dark comedy about the heiress to the L’Oréal fortune. Definitely a must-watch!
As seen in:
My Brother's Band (En fanfare)
AF FFF25
When Fall Is Coming (Quand vient l'automne)
AF FFF25
The Big Hit
(Un triomphe)
AF FFF21
Lottin plays Rudy, a caregiver and hesitant road-trip driver to Marie, an 80-year-old cancer sufferer who plans die with dignity via assisted suicide in Switzerland. A tender dramedy that approaches end-of-life choices with humour and humanity.
Winning a César for Best Supporting Actor, Lottin stars as an combative neighbour to Meursault, a quiet and unassuming clerk, accused of murder in 1930s French-colonised Algeria. An enthralling adaptation of Albert Camus’ landmark novella.
Many great films have been inspired by literature and at this year’s French Film Festival, there are plenty of stories you can now see on the big screen. Take a chance on these three excellent flicks inspired by literature.
An emotionally impactful retelling of Victor Hugo’s masterpiece Les Misérables. It’s 1815. Jean Valjean has just been released from prison. Desperate for a bed, he knocks on Monseigneur Bienvenu’s door, who decides to invite him in.
This adaptation of Amélie Nothomb’s autobiographical novel celebrates the change from early childhood to childhood, and shows Amélie’s recognition of the world's beauty.
Parisian detective Inspector Maigret, a French counterpart to Agatha Christie’s Poirot, attempts to solve the murder of a former ambassador, who has been found shot dead in Quai d’Orsay. A compelling mystery with a twist ending.
If you are wanting to watch something more upbeat and cheery, give these side-splitting comedies a try.
Sister Lucie gets separated from her group of fellow nuns during their biennial doctor’s trip. An unusual comedy that explores faith, freedom, and the bravery to follow one’s beliefs.
This comedy, set in the 1950s, focuses on Hélène, Michel and their two children. They live simple lives, until they time-jump straight into 2025. When the world they know is gone: how will they adapt?
Yann has always dreamt of travelling the world. In Marrakech, as a new recruit of the Routard travel guide, he is confronted with culture shock, fatigue, and travel naivety. Get lost in this travel comedy of errors.
See more from the Festival, including some of our other recommendations and our local French Film Festival page.
With 38 films in this year's Festival line-up, it can be hard to know where to start. We have curated some categories to get you on track and discover some of the hidden gems of this year's Festival to add to your Festival watchlist!
See more about all of our local special events; our regional screenings in Victor Harbor; Festival trailer and raffle; school screenings; volunteering opportunities and so much more!
The countdown is on! The 37th edition of the Alliance Française French Film Festival is coming to Adelaide to transport you to the heart of French cinema. From 18 March to 22 April, get ready to be swept away by an exquisite selection of films—from dazzling comedies to gripping dramas and heartwarming romances.
From a spectacular Opening Night celebration to an unforgettable Closing Night finale—plus 36 unmissable films in between—this year’s festival promises laughter, tears, thrills, and pure cinematic magic.
Become a member of Alliance Française d’Adélaïde for exclusive offers and discounts.
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