César nominations 2025: Who is the favourite to win France's top cinema award?
Le Comte de Monte-Cristo, the hugely popular cinematic adaptation of the classic French novel by Alexandre Dumas, scored the most nominations with 14 nods.
The film, directed by Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de la Patellière, sold nine million tickets in France and stands as one of the favourites this year - especially when it comes to the Best Actor category, which Pierre Niney is the frontrunner for.
Behind it is the romantic drama L'Amour ouf (Beating Hearts) with 13, and awards favourite Emilia Pérez with 12 nominations.
All eyes will be on Jacques Audiard's Spanish-language musical, which has already won two Palmes, five European Film Awards, four Golden Globes and has beaten the nomination record for a non-English-language film at the Oscars.
Elsewhere, five superb films make up the shortlist for Best International Feature: Palme d'Or winner Anora; Euronews Culture's top film of 2024 The Seed of the Sacred Fig; the underrated and freshly Oscar-nominated The Apprentice; the mind-melting The Substance; and last year's Oscar-winning The Zone of Interest. It's worth pointing out that all five films debuted at the Cannes Film Festival.
Only one month left to find out who will succeed Justine Triet's Anatomy of a Fall - which won six Césars last year, including Best Film.
The 50th César Awards will take place in Paris at the Olympia on 28 February 2025. The ceremony will be presided over by Catherine Deneuve and American actress Julia Roberts will receive this year's honorary César.
Here are the main highlights of this year's nominees:
Best Film
Le Comte de Monte-Cristo
Emilia Pérez
En Fanfare
L'histoire de Souleymane
Miséricorde
Best Director
Gilles Lelouche for L'amour ouf
Matthieu Delaporte & Alexandre de la Patellière for Le Comte de Monte-Cristo
Jacques Audiard for Emilia Pérez
Boris Lojkine for L'histoire de Souleymane
Alain Guiraudie for Miséricorde
Best Actress
Adèle Exarchopoulos - L'Amour ouf
Karla Sofía Gascón - Emilia Pérez
Hafsia Herzi - Borgo
Zoé Saldana - Emilia Pérez
Hélène Vincent - Quand vient l'automne
Best Actor
François Civil - L'Amour ouf
Benjamin Lavernhe - En Fanfare
Karim Leklou - Le roman de Jim
Pierre Niney - Le Comte de Monte-Cristo
Tahar Rahim – Monsieur Aznavour
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Elodie Bouchez - L'amour ouf
Anais Demoustier - Le Comte de Monte-Cristo
Catherine Frot - Miséricorde
Nina Meurisse - L'histoire de Souleymane
Sarah Suco - En Fanfare
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
David Alaya - Miséricorde
Bastien Bouillon - Le Comte de Monte-Cristo
Alain Chabat - L'amour ouf
Jacques Develay - Miséricorde
Laurent Lafitte - Le Comte de Monte-Cristo
Revelation Award - Actress
Maïwenn Barthelemy - Vingt Dieux
Malou Khebizi - Diamant Brut
Megan Northam - Rabia
Mallory Wanecque - L'amour ouf
Souheila Yacoub - Planète B
Revelation Award - Actor
Abou Sangaré - L'histoire de Souleymane
Adam Bessa - Les Fantômes
Malik Frikah - L'amour ouf
Félix Kysyl - Miséricorde
Pierre Lottin - En Fanfare
Best Original Screenplay
Stéphane Demoustier - Borgo
Emmanuel Courcol & Irène Muscari - En Fanfare
Boris Lojkine & Delphine Agut - L'histoire de Souleymane
Alain Guiraudie - Miséricorde
Louise Courvoisier & Théo Abadie - Vingt Dieux
Best Adapted Screenplay
Matthieu Delaporte & Alexandre de la Patellière - Le Comte de Monte-Cristo
Jacques Audiard - Emilia Pérez
Michel Hazanavicus & Jean-Claude Grumberg - La plus précieuse des marchandises
Best International Film
Anora
The Seed of the Sacred Fig
The Apprentice
The Substance
The Zone of Interest
Best First Film
Diamant brut
Les fantômes
Le royaume
Un p'tit truc en plus
Vingt dieux
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