Nicole Kidman will receive an honorary César, the highest award in French cinema, from the French film academy, the Académie des Arts et Techniques du Cinéma.
The Oscar-winning actress will be honored for her life’s work at the 2027 César awards in Paris in February.
Announcing the honor on Thursday, the Académie called Kidman both “a Hollywood star and a major figure in auteur cinema,” saying the Australian actress “has built a career that defies categorization.”
Kidman is among a handful of actors who have achieved success both with studio blockbusters, in films such as Aquaman and Pratical Magic, and with art-house features, in her work with the likes of Stanley Kubrick (Eyes Wide Shut), Jane Campion (The Portrait of a Lady), Lars von Trier (Dogville), and Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge!). A five-time Oscar nominee, she won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2003 for her portrayal of Virginia Woolf in Stephen Daldry’s The Hours. More recently, Kidman received the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the 2024 Venice Film Festival for her role in Halina Reijn’s Babygirl.
Also a producer, Kidman, through her Blossom Films shingle, has produced, and starred in, such series as Big Little Lies, The Undoing, and Nine Perfect Strangers.
With the honorary César, the French Academy said it wishes “to pay tribute to an actress and producer who has never allowed her status as a star to dictate her artistic choices.”
In recent years, the Césars have singled out Hollywood talent for their honorary award. Last year’s honoree was Jim Carrey and recent recipients include Julia Roberts, Christopher Nolan, David Fincher and Cate Blanchett.
The first round of voting for the 2027 Césars is Jan.5 with the nominations announced Jan 22. French comedian Vincent Dedienne will host the 52nd César Awards. Léa Seydoux (Spectre, Blue Is the Warmest Colour) is acting as chair for the awards and will open the ceremony at L’Olympia cinema in Paris on Feb. 25.