César 2026: Spotlight on La Petite Dernière, Xavier Dolan, and La Pampa Among the Nominations

The César Academy has unveiled the nominations for its 2026 edition, announced on Thursday, February 26. The announcement was scheduled a day ahead to avoid clashing with the charity event by “Les Enfoirés” on TF1. Presided over by Camille Cottin, the cover star of this winter, the 51st ceremony promises to be an emotional affair, especially with stories and perspectives from the queer community taking center stage.

While some absences are notable, several films that are close to our hearts have made a significant impact on this year’s nominations. Leading the charge is La Petite Dernière, an adaptation of Fatima Daas’s novel, brought to the screen by Hafsia Herzi. The film, which depicts the journey of a young lesbian Muslim woman towards self-discovery, has captured the jury’s attention with an impressive seven nominations: Best Supporting Actress (Ji-Min Park), Best Female Newcomer (Nadia Melliti), Best Adaptation, Best Original Music, Best Editing, Best Director, and Best Film. This is a strong recognition for a work that is intimate, political, and deeply contemporary.

La Pampa, directed by Antoine Chevrollier, which has already been highlighted by our editorial team, surprises with two major nominations: Best First Film and Best Male Newcomer for Sayyid El Alami. Meanwhile, François Ozon’s adaptation of L’Étranger is not far behind, earning four nominations: Best Actor (Benjamin Voisin), Best Supporting Actor (Pierre Lottin), Best Original Music, and Best Cinematography.

Xavier Dolan, Alex Beaupain, Aurélien Peyre…

Among other notable and queer-inclusive names in this year’s lineup is Xavier Dolan, nominated for Best Supporting Actor for L’Inconnu de la Grande Arche. Also, Alex Beaupain is in the running for Best Original Music for The Richest Woman in the World. Aurélien Peyre’s debut feature, L’Épreuve du feu, also shines with three nominations: Best First Film, Best Male Newcomer (Félix Lefebvre), and Best Female Newcomer (Anja Verderosa).

In the short film category, Big Boys Don’t Cry by Arnaud Delmarle stands out with its poignant exploration of masculinity. It delves into the fragile dynamics of a group of boys shaken by the return of an old friend, addressing the norms of masculinity and the courage to break emotional silences.

Notable Absences Leave a Gap

This edition is not without its disappointments. Several heartwarming films of the past year were overlooked: Love Me Tender by Anna Cazenave Cambet, Des preuves d’amour by Alice Douard, and Les Enfants vont bien by Nathan Ambrosioni. This oversight is disheartening, though the latter has an accolade to cherish, having already received the Rising Star award at the Têtu 2025.

Amidst confirmations, fresh revelations, and notable silences, this year’s nominations sketch a cinematic landscape where queer narratives continue to steadily gain visibility. While the journey remains long, each recognized film and perspective is another step toward broadening an often restrictive imagination.

For further exploration of the seventh art through the lens of diversity, check out our complete collection of articles and analysis in the dedicated section on engaged LGBT cinema, where each work becomes a space for visibility, memory, and resistance.