The Académie des César has unveiled its preselection for the Best Short Film category at the 2026 ceremony. Among the standout entries are several French-African co-productions exploring themes of resistance, identity, and state violence. From Simon Panay’s Senegal-shot “L’Enfant à la Peau Blanche” to Mohamed Bourouissa’s deconstruction of police stops in “Généalogie de la Violence,” here is the breakdown of the African and diaspora films vying for a nomination.
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- “Ne Réveillez Pas l’Enfant Qui Dort” — Dir. Kevin Aubert (France/Cameroon/Senegal): Shot in Dakar on 16mm, the film follows a 15-year-old girl who dreams of becoming an actress but whose family has other plans. Faced with decisions made without her consent, she falls into an inexplicably deep sleep in a silent act of resistance.
- “L’Enfant à la Peau Blanche” — Dir. Simon Panay (France/Senegal): Entrusted by his father to a group of gold miners, an albino child becomes the focal point of their hopes and beliefs.
- “L’Avance” — Dir. Djiby Kebe (France/Senegal): After selling a painting of his deceased mother to a collector for 5,000 euros, a young art student in Paris navigates the emotional and moral weight of the transaction.
- “Adieu Soleil” — Dir. Hakim Atoui (France/Algeria): Set in Brittany during a sweltering summer, an 11-year-old girl and her family eagerly await a total solar eclipse. The sun disappears behind the moon—and doesn’t return.
- “Généalogie de la Violence” — Dir. Mohamed Bourouissa (France/Algeria): A young man sits in a car with his girlfriend when two police officers pull up for a routine identity check. What follows is a methodical pat-down that becomes an immersive exploration of invisible violence and bodily control.
What happens next?
– This preselection is the longlist.
– César members vote in January 2026 to choose the official nominees.
– The winners will be announced at the César Awards ceremony on February 27, 2026.
