Ozon’s ‘The Stranger’ and Linklater’s ‘Nouvelle Vague’ Win Top Honors at Lumière Awards

François Ozon’s monochrome version of Albert Camus’ workThe StrangerWon Best Film at France’s 31st Lumière Awards in Paris on Sunday night.

The film, which debuted in Venice last September, was the leading candidate in the competition during the nomination phase, qualifying for six categories. Benjamin Voisin received Best Actor for his portrayal of the novel’s nihilistic main character, Meursault.

Manuel Dacosse, who was earlier recognized for his contributions to Lucile Hadzihalilovic’sEvolution, won Best Cinematography for his contribution to the movie, which was filmed in color but shown in black and white.

The Lumières, France’s counterpart to the Golden Globes, concentrate on French-language films and are selected by members of the international press residing in France, representing 36 different countries.

The other top winner of the evening was Richard Linklater, who won Best Director forNouvelle Vague, while Guillaume Marbeck received Best Male Revelation for his portrayal of Jean-Luc Godard in theOde to the French New Wave.

Brazilian filmmaker Kleber Mendonça Filho’sThe Secret Agent– which is co-produced by Brazil’s CinemaScópio, France’s mk2 Productions, Germany’s One Two Films, and the Netherlands’ Lemming Film – was awarded Best International Co-Production.

The award extends the winning momentum of the Brazilian Oscar entry, which previously took home Best Non-English Language Film and Best Actor for Wagner Moura.at the Golden Globes this week.

Ugo Bienvenu’s Arco, another popular awards season film, won Best Animated Feature. The victory came shortly after its successful winduring the European Film Awards in Berlin on Saturday night, where it received the Best European Animated Feature Film award.

The Lumière Awards event occurred in the French capital on Sunday night, aligning with the press tour for Unifrance’s Rendez-Vous in Paris, which brought together approximately 120 journalists from 40 different regions.

The Complete List of 2026 Lumières Award Winners

Best Film

The Stranger, François Ozon

Best Direction

Richard Linklater for Nouvelle Vague

Best Screenplay

Stéphane Demoustier for The Great Arch

Best Documentary

Place Your Soul In Your Hand and Walk, Sepideh Farsi

Best Animation

Arco, Ugo Bienvenu

Best Actress

Léa Drucker for Case 137

Best Actor

Benjamin Voisin for The Stranger

Female Revelation

Nadia Melliti for The Little Sister

Male Revelation

Guillaume Marbeck for Nouvelle Vague

Best First Film

Nino for Pauline Loquès

Best International Coproduction

The Secret Agent, Kleber Mendonça Filho

Cinematography

Manuel Dacosse for The Stranger

Best Music

Warren Ellis, Dom La Nena, and Rosemary Standley forWhispers in the Woods