Nicole Kidman will receive an honorary César Award at France’s 52nd César ceremony in Paris on 25 February 2027. The French film academy is recognising the Australian actor and producer for a career spanning acclaimed cinema, television and international cultural work.
The honour places Kidman among the major figures celebrated by France’s national film awards. The ceremony will take place at the Olympia, with the announcement made by the Académie des Arts et Techniques du Cinéma in partnership with broadcaster Canal+.
Nicole Kidman to receive France’s top film honour
The honorary César is presented for a significant contribution to cinema. In announcing Kidman’s award, the academy highlighted an artist whose fame has not dictated the projects she chooses as an actor and producer.
Unlike competitive César categories, the honorary award celebrates a broader body of work. Kidman’s recognition reflects her international career and her involvement in both feature films and acclaimed television productions.
A career across film and television
Kidman first gained widespread international attention with the 1989 thriller Dead Calm. She later appeared in a wide range of productions, including Days of Thunder, Practical Magic, Eyes Wide Shut, Moulin Rouge!, The Others and Dogville.
Her career has combined commercial releases with more independent and director-led projects. That range has helped establish her as one of the most prominent Australian performers working in international cinema.
Oscar and Venice recognition
Kidman won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2003 for her portrayal of writer Virginia Woolf in The Hours. The performance also underlined her reputation for taking on demanding dramatic roles.
More recently, she won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the 2024 Venice Film Festival for her performance in Babygirl. The award was another major international recognition for her work on screen.
Her television achievements include a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for Big Little Lies. She also headlined productions such as The Undoing and Nine Perfect Strangers.
Blossom Films and producing work
Kidman’s influence extends beyond acting. She co-founded Blossom Films, the production company associated with several high-profile television projects, including Big Little Lies, The Undoing and Nine Perfect Strangers.
Her producing work has allowed her to participate in developing projects as well as performing in them. That dual role is part of the wider contribution recognised by the honorary César.
Previous honours and public service
The César will add to a long list of honours. Kidman was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2006 and received the Cannes Film Festival’s 70th anniversary prize in 2017.
In 2024, the American Film Institute presented her with its Lifetime Achievement Award. She was the first Australian recipient of that distinction.
Kidman has also worked in international advocacy. She has served as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador since 1994 and as a UN Women goodwill ambassador since 2006. Her charitable work has included support for women’s cancer programmes, including initiatives connected with Stanford and the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.
When is the 2027 César ceremony?
The 52nd César ceremony is scheduled for 25 February 2027 at the Olympia in Paris. Kidman is expected to receive her honorary award during the event.
The announcement is a cultural development rather than a change to French film policy, but it is significant for the country’s national cinema institution. The César Awards remain one of France’s most prominent platforms for celebrating actors, filmmakers and producers from France and beyond.
Key details
- Recipient: Nicole Kidman
- Award: Honorary César Award
- Ceremony: 52nd César Awards
- Date: 25 February 2027
- Venue: Olympia, Paris
- Announced by: Académie des Arts et Techniques du Cinéma and Canal+
What the award means
Kidman’s honorary César acknowledges more than individual performances. It recognises a career that has moved between major studio films, independent cinema, television drama and production.
For French audiences, the award also brings an internationally recognised performer into the spotlight of France’s own film tradition. The presentation in Paris will offer the academy an opportunity to celebrate Kidman’s global influence while placing her work within the wider history of cinema honoured by the Césars.
Conclusion
Nicole Kidman’s honorary César Award will be presented in Paris on 25 February 2027, adding France’s leading film distinction to her Oscar, Emmy, Venice and other international honours. The award celebrates a career defined by variety, critical recognition and continued involvement in both acting and production.