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César 2026: A Spotlight on La Petite Dernière, Xavier Dolan, and La Pampa Among the Nominations
The César Academy has released the nominations for the 2026 edition, moving the announcement to a day earlier to avoid overlapping with “Les Enfoirés” charity event on TF1. Camille Cottin, who features prominently this season, will preside over the 51st ceremony, which promises to be emotionally charged with queer stories taking the spotlight.
Despite a few notable absences, several beloved films have made a strong showing in this year’s nominations. Leading the pack is La Petite Dernière, adapted from Fatima Daas’s novel and directed by Hafsia Herzi. This captivating narrative of a young lesbian Muslim woman’s journey to self-discovery earned the film seven nominations, including Best Supporting Actress (Ji-Min Park), Best Female Newcomer (Nadia Melliti), Best Adaptation, Best Original Music, Best Editing, Best Director, and Best Film. The film’s intimate and political nature has truly resonated with the jury.
La Pampa, directed by Antoine Chevrollier, surprises with its nominations for Best First Film and Best Male Newcomer with Sayyid El Alami. François Ozon’s adaptation of L’Étranger also stands out with four nominations, competing for Best Actor (Benjamin Voisin), Best Supporting Actor (Pierre Lottin), Best Original Music, and Best Cinematography.
Xavier Dolan, Alex Beaupain, Aurélien Peyre…
This year’s nominations list proudly includes queer-inclusive figures like Xavier Dolan, nominated for Best Supporting Actor for L’Inconnu de la Grande Arche. Alex Beaupain’s music for The Richest Woman in the World has also earned a nod for Best Original Music. Aurélien Peyre’s debut film, L’Épreuve du feu, shines with three nominations: Best First Film, Best Male Newcomer (Félix Lefebvre), and Best Female Newcomer (Anja Verderosa).
In the short film arena, Arnaud Delmarle’s Big Boys Don’t Cry distinguishes itself with its poignant exploration of masculinity. It delves into the fragile dynamics of a group reuniting with an old friend, tackling traditional masculinity norms and the courage to confront emotional silences.
Notable Absences Leave a Gap
This year’s edition comes with a hint of disappointment as several cherished films from the past year were overlooked. Love Me Tender by Anna Cazenave Cambet, Des preuves d’amour by Alice Douard, and Nathan Ambrosioni’s Les Enfants vont bien didn’t make the cut. However, the latter has something to celebrate, having received the Rising Star award at the Têtu 2025.
The current nominations weave a cinematic landscape where queer narratives are progressively gaining visibility. Though the journey is ongoing, every film and perspective recognized represents another step towards expanding our imaginations.
For more on the art of cinema through a diverse lens, explore our comprehensive collection of articles and insights in the engaged LGBT cinema section, where each piece contributes to visibility, memory, and advocacy.
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