Ozon’s ‘The Stranger’ Wins Top Honor at France’s Lumières Awards as Linklater Takes Best Director

François Ozon’s “The Stranger,” a version of Albert Camus’ renowned novel that had its global debut at Venice, won the 31st Lumières Awards, securing top honors for Best Film, Best Actor for Benjamin Voisin, and Best Cinematography by Manu Dacosse during an event that took place Sunday at the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris.

It represents Ozon’s initial victory for best film at the Lumière Awards, following previous nominations in 2020 for “By the Grace of God,” and in 2021 for “Summer 85.” Voisin, who appears in “The Stranger” alongside Rebecca Marder, previously received the best revelation award for his performance in “Summer 85.”

American director Richard Linklater was awarded best director for “Nouvelle Vague,” a black-and-white tribute to the French cinematic movement called the New Wave. The movie, which premiered at Cannes, also received the best male newcomer award for Guillaume Marbeck.

Often compared to the Golden Globes in France, the Lumières Awards are selected by international journalists from 36 nations and are presented at an event that occurs approximately a month prior to the Cesar Awards, marking the start of France’s award season.

French actress Léa Drucker received the best actress award for Dominik Moll’s film “Case 137,” a Yellow Jacket production that premiered at Cannes. This marked Drucker’s first Lumière Award, after being nominated in 2019 for Xavier Legrand’s “Custody” and in 2024 for Catherine Breillat’s “Last Summer.”

Nadia Melliti, who received the best actress award at Cannes for her performance in Hafsia Herzi’s “The Little Sister,” was also honored as best female revelation; meanwhile, “The Secret Agent,” a film directed by Brazilian filmmaker Kleber Mendonça Filho, won the best international co-production prize. The movie recently secured two Golden Globe awards — Wagner Moura for best actor and best international film.

Screenwriter-director Stéphane Demoustier received the best screenplay award for “L’Inconnu de la Grande Arche,” marking his second Lumière Award, following his 2021 win for “La Fille au bracelet.”

The honors extended throughout the lineup as Pauline Loquès’ “Nino,” featuring Théodore Pellerin, received the award for best first film; Ugo Bienvenu’s “Arco” was recognized as best animated feature; and Sepideh Farsi’s “Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk” won best documentary. The prize for best original music was awarded to Warren Ellis, Dom La Nena, and Rosemary Standley for “Le Chant des forêts,” directed by Vincent Munier.

Up next in France’s awards season is the Cesar Awards, set to occur on February 27 at the Olympia in Paris, with Jim Carrey named as this year’s honorary Cesar recipient.