Paris hosted France’s premier film awards on Friday, 24 February 2017, when the stars of French-language cinema gathered at the iconic Salle Pleyel for the 42nd César Awards. The evening celebrated the finest achievements in French film, from acting and directing to technical crafts and short formats, highlighting both established talents and exciting newcomers.
Internationally renowned actor, director and producer George Clooney received an honorary César. He accepted the award with a heartfelt speech that mixed personal reflection and a political plea, urging attendees and viewers to “not let hate win.” Clooney also spoke warmly about his anticipation of becoming a father, touching on the more intimate side of his life while acknowledging the broader social responsibilities artists and citizens share.
The ceremony’s major winners included Houda Benyamina’s Divines and Xavier Dolan’s It’s Only the End of the World, each securing three awards across major categories. Divines was recognized for its powerful debut and breakthrough performances, while Dolan’s film dominated in acting and creative categories. Ken Loach’s I, Daniel Blake, already celebrated at Cannes with the Palme d’Or and notable box-office success, continued its international acclaim at the César Awards by taking home Best Foreign Film.
This year’s ceremony acknowledged both established stars and rising talent, and it reflected the diversity and strength of contemporary French cinema. Below is a complete and SEO-friendly list of winners from the 42nd César Awards, useful for readers searching for authoritative coverage of the event.
Complete list of winners — 42nd César Awards (2017)
- Best Actor: Gaspard Ulliel — It’s Only the End of the World
- Best Actress: Isabelle Huppert — Elle
- Best Supporting Actress: Déborah Lukumuena — Divines
- Best Supporting Actor: James Thierrée — Chocolat
- Most Promising Actor: Niels Schneider — Dark Inclusion
- Most Promising Actress: Oulaya Amamra — Divines
- Best First Feature Film (Best Debut): Divines
- Best Short Film: Maman(s)
- Best Short Documentary: Vers la tendresse
- Best Short Animation: He Who Has Two Souls
- Best Foreign Film: I, Daniel Blake
- Best Documentary: Thanks, Boss!
- Best Animated Film: My Life as a Zucchini
- Best Director: Xavier Dolan — It’s Only the End of the World
- Best Cinematography: Pascal Marti — Frantz
- Best Editing: Xavier Dolan — It’s Only the End of the World
- Best Original Score: In the Forests of Siberia
- Best Original Writing: The Aquatic Effect
- Best Adaptation: Claude Barras, Morgan Navarro, Céline Sciamma, Germano Zullo — My Life as a Zucchini
- Best Costume Design: Anaïs Romand — The Dancer
- Best Production Design: Jérémy Duchier — Chocolat
- Best Sound: Fred Demolder, Marc Engels, Jean-Paul Hurier, Sylvain Rety — The Odyssey
- Honorary César: George Clooney
The 42nd César Awards highlighted films that combine strong storytelling with social relevance and artistic ambition. Divines stood out for its raw portrayal of youth and social struggle, while It’s Only the End of the World was recognized for its intense performances and stylized direction. I, Daniel Blake continued its international journey from festival laurels to wider recognition as a film that addresses urgent social issues.
Beyond the winners, the ceremony served as a showcase for the technical achievements and collaborative nature of filmmaking—from costume and production design to sound and score—underscoring how many crafts come together to create the films audiences celebrate. The evening reinforced the global reach and cultural influence of French cinema, and the honorary tribute to George Clooney highlighted the continuing dialogue between French and international film communities.
For anyone researching the César Awards or compiling coverage of French film in 2017, this summary provides a concise, searchable record of the winners and the overall tone of the ceremony held at Salle Pleyel in Paris.
If you would like a breakdown of nominees for each category or further context on the winning films and filmmakers, I can provide expanded summaries and critical perspectives on the most notable entries from the 42nd César Awards.