Solène Delinger 10:00 a.m., February 16, 2024

The stars of French cinema are almost ready... Next Friday, February 23, they will all come together for the prestigious 49th César ceremony broadcast in full and unencrypted on Canal+, of which Europe 1 is a partner. An evening as exciting as it is stressful for the nominees, who all hope to leave with a statuette. Are you not yet up to speed on the event? Europe1.fr tells you everything! 

The countdown is on before the 49th César ceremony... Next Friday, February 23, the big names in French cinema will gather to witness the coronation of the best films and best performances of the year 2023. This year again, it will be very difficult to decide between the actors/actresses and directors, all as excellent as each other... Who will win the most statuettes? Will Virginie Efira achieve a historic “double” like Benoît Magimel? While waiting for the big evening, Europe 1 takes stock of everything you need to know to be knowledgeable about this 49th ceremony. Let's go ! 

Where are the Caesars held?

The 49th César du cinéma ceremony will take place for the fourth consecutive year on the Olympia stage. It will be broadcast, unencrypted and live, by the Canal+ channel, of which Europe 1 is a partner. The evening traditionally took place on the stage of the Théâtre du Châtelet. But work pushed the Academy to choose another location. The Salle Pleyel did the business for four years then L'Olympia took over. 

Who presents the ceremony?

Valérie Lemercier is the honorary president of this 49th edition. She thus succeeds Tahar Rahim. Like last year, there will be not one but 13 masters of ceremonies who will come to host the evening. Dany Boon, Benoît Magimel, Paul Mirabel, Berenice Bejo, and Ana Girardot will be there. 

This year again, it's impossible to make a choice!



While waiting to know the winners, discover the Mistresses and Masters of Ceremonies who will present the evening of the #César2024



An event to experience on February 23 at 8:45 p.m. clearly, live and exclusively on CANAL+ pic.twitter.com/aQQmrmmq6O

— CANAL+ (@canalplus) January 26, 2024

READ ALSO - 

César dinner: Virginie Efira, Raphaël Quenard and Justine Triet speak to Europe 1

Who are the big favorites?

The César Academy unveiled the list of nominees for the 2024 Césars on Wednesday, January 24. One year after the triumph of 

La Nuit du 12

 by Dominik Moll, it is

The Animal Kingdom 

by Thomas Caillet and 

Anatomy of a Fall

, by Justine Triet, which are the big favorites with 12 and 11 nominations respectively. Sandra Hüller is tipped to win the César for best actress for her perfect score in

Anatomy of a Fall. 

Raphaël Quenard, nominated in three different categories, is also a favorite, particularly for his role in

Yannick

by Quentin Dupieux. 

How are trophies made?

The name of the trophy comes from the French sculptor César Baldaccini. The Caesar is in fact a bronze reproduction of one of his compressions. The Bocquel contemporary art foundry, located in the small town of Bréauté, employs around twenty people every year (founders, skaters, moulders, carvers, welders) to manufacture the 25 statuettes awarded during the ceremony.