The French film industry converged at the Institut du Monde Arabe on Sunday, January 18, 2026, for the 31st annual Lumière Awards. In a night that celebrated both existential literary adaptations and the history of cinema itself, François Ozon finally secured his first Best Film win for The Stranger (L’Étranger). Voted on by the international press, the Lumières are often seen as the French equivalent of the Golden Globes, serving as a critical barometer for the upcoming César Awards on February 27. Ozon’s haunting, black-and-white reimagining of Albert Camus’ 1942 classic led the pack, proving that French cinema remains as daring and intellectually provocative as ever.
The evening was also a historic milestone for American auteur Richard Linklater, who took home the Best Director trophy for Nouvelle Vague. The film—a meticulous recreation of the making of Jean-Luc Godard’s Breathless—captured the hearts of international critics, blending Hollywood’s narrative craftsmanship with a deep reverence for French film history. As the awards season heats up, the results from Paris suggest a year where “the outsider” and “the revolutionary” are the dominant themes in global storytelling.
Major Highlights: A Night of Existential Wins
François Ozon’s “The Stranger” Dominates: After multiple nominations in previous years, Ozon took home the night’s biggest prize. The film, which first debuted at the Venice Film Festival, garnered three awards in total, including Best Actor for Benjamin Voisin and Best Cinematography for Manu Dacosse.
Linklater’s Love Letter to Godard: Richard Linklater’s Nouvelle Vague was the other big winner. Beyond Linklater’s directing win, the film produced a breakout star in Guillaume Marbeck, who won Most Promising Actor for his uncanny portrayal of a young Jean-Luc Godard.
International Powerhouse: Kleber Mendonça Filho’s The Secret Agent continued its winning streak. Fresh off a Best Non-English Language Film win at the Golden Globes, it was named Best International Co-production.
Full List of 2026 Lumière Award Winners
| Category | Winner | Film |
| Best Film | François Ozon | The Stranger (L’Étranger) |
| Best Director | Richard Linklater | Nouvelle Vague |
| Best Actress | Léa Drucker | Case 137 (Dossier 137) |
| Best Actor | Benjamin Voisin | The Stranger |
| Best Screenplay | Stéphane Demoustier | The Great Arch |
| Most Promising Actress | Nadia Melliti | The Little Sister |
| Most Promising Actor | Guillaume Marbeck | Nouvelle Vague |
| Best First Film | Pauline Loquès | Nino |
| Best Documentary | Sepideh Farsi | Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk |
| Best Animated Film | Ugo Bienvenu | Arco |
| Best International Co-production | Kleber Mendonça Filho | The Secret Agent |
| Best Cinematography | Manu Dacosse | The Stranger |
| Best Score | Warren Ellis, Dom La Nena & Rosemary Standley | Whispers in the Woods |
Courtesy: ScreenDaily
