Carine Tardieu's family drama The Ties That Bind Us took the top honor at the 51st Cesar Awards in Paris, while Richard Linklater earned best director for Nouvelle Vague. Canadian actor Jim Carrey received an honorary award and delivered an emotional speech in French, recalling his family's French roots. The ceremony featured political tributes and celebrations of French cinema.
The 51st Cesar Awards took place in Paris on February 26, 2026, honoring achievements in French cinema. Carine Tardieu's The Ties That Bind Us (L’Attachement), which premiered at the Venice Film Festival's Orizzonti sidebar in 2025, won best film. The story follows Valeria Bruni Tedeschi as a solitary woman drawn into her neighbors' chaotic lives after a tragedy. Vimala Pons received best supporting actress for her role in the film.
Richard Linklater's Nouvelle Vague, an ode to the French New Wave with 10 nominations, secured best director for Linklater, along with awards for best editing by Catherine Schwartz, best costumes by Pascaline Chavanne, and best cinematography by David Chambille. David Cronenberg presented the director award, joking that filmmaking involves simply saying 'action' and 'cut.'
Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another won best international film. Other notable winners included best documentary Whispers in the Woods by Vincent Munier, which also took best sound, and best animated feature Arco by Ugo Bienvenu, earning best original music for Arnaud Toulon. Best actor went to Laurent Lafitte for The Richest Woman in the World, and best actress to Léa Drucker for Case 137.
Jim Carrey, known for The Mask and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, received the honorary Cesar, presented by Michel Gondry, his director from the 2004 film. In a French speech with a thick American accent, Carrey said, “As an actor, each character you play is like clay in the sculptor’s hands, which you shape to your heart’s desire.” He revealed his ancestor Marc-François Carré emigrated from Saint-Malo to Canada about 300 years ago, stating, “Tonight with this magnificent honor, this square (carré in French) has come full circle.” Carrey thanked his daughter Jane, grandson Jackson, girlfriend Mina, and late father Percy Joseph Carrey, ending with, “So, how was my French? Almost mediocre, right? My tongue is tired.”
Ceremony president Camille Cottin opened with a satirical speech, declaring, “Culture is often the first to be attacked, because it is a weapon against authoritarianism.” Other moments included tributes to women facing violence by Isabelle Adjani and support for Iran's pro-democracy protests by Golshifteh Farahani.
