Hafsia Herzi wins Best Actress at César Awards
Hafsia Herzi was awarded Best Actress at the 2025 César Awards for her role in the film Borgo by Stéphane Demoustier, facing off against Adèle Exarchopoulos in L'Amour ouf or Zoe Saldaña in Emilia Pérez. The actress, who is also a director of several feature films, including La Petite Dernière, which was greatly noted at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, has established herself as a significant figure in French cinema.Early career recognition
Her career began with a role in The Graine et le mulet by Abdellatif Kechiche (2007), where she played Rym, a hardened teenager supporting her stepfather. The film earned her the Marcello Mastroianni Award at the Venice Film Festival and Best New Actress at the 2008 César Awards.First directorial work
In 2019, Hafsia Herzi directed her first feature film, Tu mérites un amour, which was inspired by a poem written by Frida Khalo. The film features a dialogue with Anthony Bajon and explores themes of love and life. In 2021, she directed Bonne mère, drawing inspiration from her mother, a housekeeper. The film was presented at the Cannes Film Festival in the Un certain regard section and was shot in Marseille with mostly amateur actors.Recent film roles
In 2023, Hafsia Herzi played a midwife named Lydia in Le Ravissement by Iris Kaltenbäck, inspired by the novel Le Ravissement de Lol V. Stein by Marguerite Duras. The film explores themes of love, friendship, and personal challenges.Role in Borgo
In 2024, she took on the role of Mélissa, a guard at the Fleury-Mérogis prison who has just been transferred to Borgo in Corsica in Borgo by Stéphane Demoustier. The film was nominated for Best Original Screenplay during its 50th ceremony.
