From Venice darling ‘The Stranger’ dominating the night to Hollywood filmmaker Richard Linklater’s French New Wave tribute winning Best Director, the 31st Lumières Awards delivered glamour, prestige, and early awards-season drama in Paris.
Paris officially kicked off its awards season glamour with a cinematic bang as the 31st Lumières Awards unfolded at the iconic Institut du Monde Arabe on Sunday night. Often dubbed France’s answer to the Golden Globes, the ceremony brought together international journalists, filmmakers, and European cinema royalty — and crowned a clear champion of the evening.
François Ozon’s “The Stranger,” a bold adaptation of Albert Camus’ literary masterpiece, emerged as the night’s biggest winner, sweeping Best Film, Best Actor for Benjamin Voisin, and Best Cinematography for Manu Dacosse. The film had its its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, and its Lumières triumph has instantly positioned it as one of the strongest contenders heading into the prestigious César Awards later this month.
For Ozon, this win marked a major career milestone. Despite being one of France’s most celebrated auteurs, this was his first-ever Lumière Award for Best Film, following previous nominations for By the Grace of God (2020) and Summer 85 (2021). Industry insiders were quick to call it a long-overdue recognition for the prolific filmmaker.
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“The Stranger” Dominates and Benjamin Voisin Wins Big
Based on Camus’ existential novel, The Stranger has been praised for its modern emotional depth, haunting cinematography, and psychologically layered performances. Benjamin Voisin, who stars opposite Rebecca Marder, delivered a breakout performance that earned him the Best Actor trophy.
Interestingly, Voisin’s Lumières journey has come full circle. He previously won Best Revelation for Ozon’s Summer 85, making this latest win a powerful upgrade in his career trajectory.
Cinematographer Manu Dacosse also walked away with Best Cinematography, reinforcing the film’s visual artistry as one of its strongest assets.
Critics attending the ceremony hinted that The Stranger could become a dominant force in France’s awards circuit — especially with momentum building toward the César nominations.
Richard Linklater Brings Hollywood Flavor to French Cinema
While Ozon ruled the top categories, American filmmaker Richard Linklater added international sparkle by winning Best Director for Nouvelle Vague, a black-and-white love letter to the French New Wave movement.
The film, which premiered in competition at the Cannes Film Festival, charmed critics with its nostalgic homage to cinematic legends like Godard and Truffaut. Adding to the celebration, actor Guillaume Marbeck won Best Male Revelation for his performance in the film.
Linklater’s victory symbolized the increasingly global nature of European cinema, blending Hollywood sensibilities with French artistic heritage — a combination that audiences and critics clearly embraced.
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Léa Drucker Finally Clinches Her First Lumière Win
One of the emotional highlights of the evening was Léa Drucker’s long-awaited win for Best Actress for her gripping performance in Dominik Moll’s yellow-jacket drama “Case 137.”
The film also premiered at Cannes, further strengthening the festival-to-awards pipeline that often defines European cinema success. For Drucker, the award was particularly meaningful — it marked her first Lumière victory after multiple nominations over the years, including for Custody (2019) and Last Summer (2024).
Her win was met with thunderous applause and heartfelt praise from industry peers, many calling it a career-defining moment.
Cannes Winners Continue Their Winning Streak
Cannes Film Festival alumni continued to dominate the Lumières stage. Nadia Melliti, who had already won Best Actress at Cannes for Hafsia Herzi’s “The Little Sister,” picked up Best Female Revelation, cementing her rapid rise in European cinema.
Another Cannes prizewinner, “The Secret Agent” by Brazilian filmmaker Kleber Mendonça Filho, won Best International Co-Production. The film recently grabbed two Golden Globe wins — including Best Actor for Wagner Moura and Best International Film — making it one of the most globally celebrated films of the year.
Strong Recognition Across Categories
The awards spread recognition generously across genres and voices:
- Best Screenplay: Stéphane Demoustier for L’Inconnu de la Grande Arche — his second Lumière win following La Fille au bracelet in 2021.
- Best First Film: Pauline Loquès’ Nino, starring Théodore Pellerin.
- Best Animated Feature: Ugo Bienvenu’s Arco.
- Best Documentary: Sepideh Farsi’s Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk.
- Best Original Music: Warren Ellis, Dom La Nena, and Rosemary Standley for Vincent Munier’s Le Chant des forêts.
The diversity of winners highlighted the Lumières Awards’ commitment to celebrating storytelling across narrative cinema, animation, documentary, and music.
Why the Lumières Awards Matter in Global Cinema
Voted on by international journalists from 36 countries, the Lumières Awards serve as a powerful barometer of critical opinion. Unlike purely industry-voted awards, the journalists’ perspective often reflects how films resonate globally — making these wins especially influential for international distribution, streaming acquisitions, and festival momentum.
The ceremony traditionally takes place about a month before the César Awards, effectively launching France’s official awards season. Many Lumières winners often go on to receive strong César nominations — and sometimes dominate the final awards tally.
In other words, what happens at the Lumières rarely stays at the Lumières.
César Awards Next: Jim Carrey to Receive Honorary César
The spotlight now shifts to the upcoming César Awards, scheduled for February 27 at the Olympia in Paris. Adding Hollywood flavor to the ceremony, Jim Carrey is set to receive this year’s Honorary César Award, promising another glamorous international crossover moment.
With The Stranger now riding high on Lumières momentum, industry watchers expect fierce competition at the Césars — especially in Best Film, acting, and technical categories.
Also Read: https://ultapaltakhabar.com/joy-awards-2026-full-winners-list/
Final Word
The 31st Lumières Awards delivered a night rich in artistic prestige, emotional wins, and international crossover glamour. François Ozon’s The Stranger emerged as the evening’s undeniable champion, while Richard Linklater’s French homage, Léa Drucker’s long-awaited victory, and Cannes favorites continued to shape this year’s cinematic narrative.
As the awards race accelerates toward the César Awards, one thing is certain — European cinema is enjoying a powerful moment on the global stage, and Paris remains at the heart of it all.
Stay tuned to Ulta Palta Khabar for more award season updates, celebrity news, international cinema trends, and entertainment buzz shaping the global film industry.
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