Fez — Carine Tardieu’s “The Ties That Bind Us” (“L’Attachement”) claimed Best Film at the 2026 Césars, France’s top film honors, during a ceremony in Paris that mixed cinematic celebration with pointed political messages.
Tardieu’s intimate family drama, which premiered in the Orizzonti section at the Venice Film Festival last year, centers on a solitary woman whose life shifts when tragedy strikes her neighbors. Starring Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, the film explores grief, unexpected connection, and emotional resilience. In addition to Best Film, it earned Best Supporting Actress for Vimala Pons and Best Adapted Screenplay for Tardieu alongside Raphaële Moussafir and Agnès Feuvre.
Richard Linklater wins best director
American filmmaker Richard Linklater secured Best Director for “Nouvelle Vague,” his homage to the French New Wave. The film entered the ceremony with 10 nominations and walked away with multiple awards, including Best Editing, Best Cinematography for David Chambille, and Best Costumes for Pascaline Chavanne.
Director David Cronenberg presented the Best Director prize, joking that filmmaking is simply about walking around and saying “action” and “cut.” Linklater was not present in Paris to accept the award.
Acting honors and screenplay surprises
Laurent Lafitte won Best Actor for “The Richest Woman in the World,” while Léa Drucker took Best Actress for “Case 137.” In a surprise, Franck Dubosc and Sarah Kaminsky won Best Original Screenplay for the dark comedy “How To Make A Killing,” edging out strong contenders including Jafar Panahi’s “It Was Just An Accident.”
Best International Film went to Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another,” which triumphed over a competitive lineup of global nominees.
Jim Carrey receives honorary César
The emotional highlight of the evening came when Canadian actor Jim Carrey received an Honorary César. Following past honorees such as Julia Roberts and Christopher Nolan, Carrey accepted the award in French, recalling his ancestral roots in Saint-Malo before his family emigrated to Canada.
Filmmaker Michel Gondry, who directed Carrey in “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” presented the award. Carrey reflected on his family’s journey from France to North America, describing the moment as a full-circle tribute.
The ceremony’s host, Camille Cottin, opened the event with a satirical speech defending culture as a “national treasure” and warning against threats to artistic freedom. Political solidarity moments punctuated the evening, including tributes to women facing violence and statements supporting the people of Iran and Afghanistan.
Full list of major winners
Best Film: “The Ties That Bind Us,” Carine Tardieu
Best Director: Richard Linklater, “Nouvelle Vague”
Best Actor: Laurent Lafitte, “The Richest Woman in the World”
Best Actress: Léa Drucker, “Case 137”
Best Original Screenplay: Franck Dubosc, Sarah Kaminsky, “How To Make A Killing”
Best Adapted Screenplay: Carine Tardieu, Raphaële Moussafir, Agnès Feuvre, “The Ties That Bind Us”
Best Supporting Actress: Vimala Pons, “The Ties That Bind Us”
Best Supporting Actor: Pierre Lottin, “The Stranger”
Best International Film: “One Battle After Another,” Paul Thomas Anderson
As French cinema celebrated its creative range, from intimate family dramas to global auteur tributes, the 2026 Césars proves the enduring power of storytelling. In a ceremony blending artistry with activism, Paris once again positioned film as both cultural expression and civic voice.
