Chaired by director Michel Leclerc, a jury of twenty-six professionals honored the graduation films of ESRA students on September 4, 2026. The complete list of winners includes “Gamin” by Victor Blumenthal-Valloud, which was named Best Film.
Awards: Our Students' Films Honored by Film Industry Professionals
There are days that close one chapter and open another. On Friday, September 4, 2026, our students presented their graduation films to an exceptional jury, chaired by director Michel Leclerc, winner of the César Award for Best Original Screenplay for “Le Nom des gens.” Joining him were twenty-five professionals from the film and audiovisual industries who gathered at ESRA to view the films, discuss them, and present awards: César-winning directors and cinematographers, leading producers, editors, sound engineers, and renowned critics took the time to watch everything, then deliberate, before presenting the awards to those who had earned them.
It’s one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the year. For a graduating class completing three years of training in film and television, this jury isn’t just another exam: it’s the first time their films are being judged as works of art by the very people who are shaping the film industry today.
A jury of twenty-six professionals
Chaired by Michel Leclerc, the jury brought together recognized talents from all areas of filmmaking, from the set to the mixing room. Among them were director and cinematographer Yves Angelo, a three-time César Award winner for Best Cinematography for “Nocturne Indien, ” “Tous les Matins du Monde,” and “Germinal”; sound editor Nadine Muse (“The Artist,” “Amour”); and sound mixer Cristinel Sirli, who is responsible for the sound on a Palme d’Or-winning film.
Direction and Cinematography
- Michel Leclerc, director, jury president, César Award winner for Best Original Screenplay
- Yves Angelo, director and director of photography, three-time César Award winner for Best Cinematography
- Raphaël Rueb, Director of Photography
- Mathieu de Montgrand, director of photography
- Stephen Meance, director of photography (ESRA alumnus)
- Carole Schmidlin, director and first assistant director (ESRA alumna)
Production
- Marie de Maublanc, producer and co-founder of Alma Production
- Yoann Scherb, producer at Nolita
- Claire Bodechon, producer, Timshel Productions
- Vanessa Djian, producer and founder of Daï-Daï Films (“Edmond,” “Adieu Monsieur Haffmann”)
- Sarah Navrot-Mengin, producer, 24 25 Films
- Franz Desprez, Bruno Tiperez, and Jean-Pascal Dayraut, Zefirent
- Charles Grammare, training manager at the Maison du Film (ESRA alumnus)
Screenplay and Review
- Joanna Grundziska, screenwriter
- Guillaume Renusson, screenwriter and director of “Les Survivants” (ESRA alumnus)
- Clément Peny, screenwriter, co-writer of “Les Survivants” (ESRA alumnus)
- Yves Alion, journalist and critic, editor-in-chief of L’Avant-Scène Cinéma (ESRA alumnus)
- Clément Colliaux, critic
- Chloé Caye, critic
Sound, Editing, and Post-Production
- Nadine Muse, sound editor for “The Artist, ” “Amour,” and “Caché,” and a multiple César Award nominee for Best Sound
- Cristinel Sirli, sound mixer and founder of Creative Sound (“4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days,” Palme d’Or)
- Sandie Bompar, Editor
- Benoît Maujean, post-production
- Frédéric Joly, Transpa
In fact, several alumni of the school made a point of returning to judge their successors. This is a fine example of how the bond doesn’t break upon graduation: from the Maison du Film to film sets, and from film criticism to writing, several alumni were there to pass on what they themselves had learned.
The 2026 Hall of Fame
After a morning of screenings and lively deliberations, the jury reached its decision. Here are all the awards that were presented.
Best VFX Award — *Les heures mortes*, by Maxime Florenville
Best Film Award — *Gamin*, by Victor Blumenthal-Valloud
Jury President's Award — *The Hug*, by Misha Amirault
Best Cinematography Award — *The Hug*, by Misha Amirault
Best Screenplay Award — *We Loved You, Now*, by Meri Mkhsyan
Best Editing Award — *We Loved You, Now*, by Meri Mkhsyan
Best Production Award — *We Loved You, Now*, by Meri Mkhsyan
Critics' Choice Award — *We Loved You, Now*, by Meri Mkhsyan
Alumni Award — “We Loved You, Now,” by Meri Mkhsyan
Best Sound Award — *François, Jean, and Me*, by Marco Bortune
Award for Best Sound Design — *Still*, by Julia Jakab
Best Film of 2026: "Gamin" Takes the Crown
At the conclusion of the deliberations, one film emerged as the clear winner of the top prize: “Gamin,” by Victor Blumenthal-Valloud, named Best Film of 2026. In awarding it the prize, the jury did not single out a single quality, but rather a balance: that of a film in which the screenplay, direction, visuals, and sound all work together toward a single goal. Perhaps that is what it means to make a successful graduation film—not to shine in one particular aspect, but to bring the whole thing together.
Behind an award like this, there is rarely just one person. At ESRA, as elsewhere, a film is the result of a collaborative effort: a team of students in various technical and artistic roles who have been working on it for months. By honoring “Gamin,” the jury recognized a director capable of bringing these talents together and guiding them toward something meaningful.
Two other films stood out at this year’s festival. “On t’aimait, maintenant,” by Meri Mkhsyan, took home the most impressive haul of the evening with six awards, ranging from Best Screenplay and Best Editing to the Alumni Award and the Critics’ Award. “Le câlin,” by Misha Amirault, won over the jury president and took home the Best Cinematography award. Three films, three distinct styles, all from the same graduating class: a sure sign of bright futures ahead.
What now?
To all our award winners, and to all the students who presented their films to this jury, we extend our warmest congratulations. These awards recognize three years of hard work and mark the precise moment when one stops learning about film and begins making it.
Want to check out our students’ work? Watch their films and short films, stay up to date on the latest school news, and if you feel like getting behind the camera yourself, explore our Film & Television Programs and find out how to apply to ESRA.
