Deauville American Film Festival 2025: women in the spotlight

The curtain has fallen on the 51ᵉ edition of the Deauville American Film Festival. Once again this year, the Normandy resort celebrated the best of independent cinema and emerging talent, while paying tribute to great figures. The jury delivered an audacious prize list, dominated by young directors and first films that hint at a promising future for American cinema.

A strong and symbolic Grand Prix

The Grand Prix went to Charlie Polinger‘s The Plague, a debut film noted for its narrative force and incisive direction. The film also won the Critics’ Prize, confirming the unanimous support for this work.

The Jury Prize was awarded to two films: Olmo by Fernando Eimbcke and Omaha by Cole Webley, two singular narratives, both with a fresh take on contemporary America.

New voices to follow

The Prix de la Révélation marked a turning point: it was awarded to The Chronology of Water, directed by Kristen Stewart. The actress’s ambitious staging of the film was captivatingly sensitive and audacious.

The Deauville public, true to its independent spirit, crowned Eleanor the Great, Scarlett Johansson‘s first film. The film was awarded the Prix du Public by the city of Deauville. A choice that demonstrates the festival’s commitment to combining high artistic standards with accessibility.

The Prix Canal+ went to Sovereign by Christian Swegal. The Prix d’Ornano-Valenti, for a first French film, went to Nino by Pauline Loquès.

Tributes and icons

This year’s edition also celebrated several major figures. The festival presented a Deauville Talent Award to Pamela Anderson and Joel Edgerton for their respective careers. The jury also honored a living legend with the Icon Award: Kim Novak.

At 92, the actress from Alfred Hitchcock’s Cold Sweat remains a timeless figure of the Hollywood Golden Age. Her arrival, greeted by a standing ovation, served as a reminder of the extent to which her career has marked generations of cinephiles. Deauville’s decision to honor Kim Novak goes beyond a simple tribute. It’s a way of linking today’s independent cinema with the legacy of the great icons of the past. In receiving the Icon Award, she single-handedly embodied this continuity, reminding us that cinema remains an art of transmission, memory and emotion.

A new star

Finally, the jury awarded the Rising Star Award to Zoey Deutch. This award confirms the actress’s place among the new generation of Hollywood actors. A recognition that underlines Deauville’s vocation: to spot and celebrate the talents of today and tomorrow.

You may also like to read this article on 50 years of American films at Deauville