France's CNC names Sébastien Cauchon first dedicated Academy Awards liaison

Mixed · 2France's National Cinema Centre (CNC) has appointed Sébastien Cauchon as its first dedicated Academy Awards liaison, a newly created post, to support French candidates across the categories of the 99th Oscars. 1 2 Mixed · 2Cauchon will focus in particular on Andrey Zvyagintsev's "Minotaur", France's entry for Best International Feature Film this year; Variety adds that he will spearhead its campaign. 1 2 Mixed · 2The appointment was announced at a conference on the export of French film and audiovisual works at the CNC's Paris headquarters, held with Unifrance; Variety dates it to Monday. 1 2

Centre · 1The CNC said that in the coming weeks it will organise initiatives to raise awareness of the Academy's processes and campaign strategies, plus events showcasing French films in contention. 1 Mixed · 2Cauchon was communications director at export body Unifrance from 2013 to 2020 and now works as an independent awards and international strategy adviser under the Cinema Collectors banner. His earlier campaigns include "The Father" and "The Substance". 1 2 Left · 1Variety reports that the new strategy will double the financial aid the CNC gives to Oscar campaigns, pool resources earlier and work with U.S. distributors. It also aims to look beyond the international feature category to directing, acting, screenplay and craft awards. 2

Left · 1Cauchon said an awards strategist "isn't very widespread in France, or even in Europe", and that French productions and talent are represented across all categories, not only best international film. 2 Mixed · 2Both outlets note that France has not won Best International Feature since Régis Wargnier's "Indochine" in 1993, though it was nominated in the last two years, and that French talent often wins elsewhere. 1 2 Centre · 1The conference was the first of a series of meetings on France's export strategy for film and audiovisual works. They are meant to produce a detailed roadmap in early 2027 that would modernise direct export support. 1

Left · 1Variety reports that industry figures at the conference warned France's international position cannot be taken for granted. CNC president Gaëtan Bruel said France was "losing the streaming battle", and Unifrance president Gilles Pélisson pointed to tech giants, streamers and AI. 2 Left · 1Sales agents said France has a strong export network but that incentives are lacking. Pierre Mazars of Charades said it is often more attractive to sell a foreign film than a French one. Clara Flageollet Schmit of SND said the sector remains roughly 26% below pre-pandemic levels despite preliminary Unifrance figures of about 42.5 million admissions and €272 million in international box office for 2025. 2