Following an emotional and heartfelt preview screening, the Barrière Foundation presented its 2025 Film Award to the film Louise, the debut feature film by Nicolas Keitel, produced by Gabman and distributed by Apollo Films.

This sensitive and daring story, starring Diane Rouxel, Cécile de France, and Salomé Dewaels, won over the jury of the 2025 Cinema Prize, chaired by Guillaume Canet and composed of Julie Chen, Alice Isaaz, Salim Kechiouche, Reem Kherici, Samuel Le Bihan, Vincent Perez, Morgan Simon, and Blandine Harmelin, Artistic Director of the Barrière Group.

This 2025 edition also marks an important milestone for the Foundation: the Cinema Prize’s endowment has increased from€31,000 to €40,000, in order to support all stakeholders in the creative process. It is now distributed as follows: By recognizing this debut feature film and strengthening its financial support, the Barrière Foundation reaffirms its ambition: to support emerging talent and promote works capable of leaving their mark on their era through the power of their storytelling and the uniqueness of their artistic vision.

• €10,000 for the director, to support the creative process;

• €20,000 for the distributor, to support the promotion of the film;

• €10,000 for the producer, a new award introduced this year, in recognition of the essential role of production in bringing film projects to fruition.

“Cinema possesses the rare power to draw us into timeless stories through its characters, but also to elevate real-life stories by giving them universal significance. With Louise, Nicolas Keitel has created a work that resonates far beyond the screen, thanks to its sincerity and the accuracy of its perspective. I believe more than ever in the essential role of the Barrière Foundation: to support unique stories, give a voice to new talent, and help bring these works to the public. It is this mission that we carry forward with conviction.”- Blandine Harmelin, Artistic Director of the Barrière Group and member of the Jury.

The film Louise will be released in theaters on December 10, 2025.

A Renewed Commitment to French Cinema

Founded in 1999 on the initiative of Diane Barrière, the Barrière Foundation now focuses its efforts on the art of cinema. In addition to the Cinema Prize, it supports the NOUVELLES VAGUES – Barrière Foundation Grant, a unique program that works in tandem with directors and producers to support the development of their feature-length projects, in partnership with the Biarritz Film Festival.

For over 25 years, the Barrière Foundation has been committed to supporting filmmakers, producers, and distributors by offering them visibility and concrete resources to promote their work.

Project leaders are warmly invited to submit their applications now through the end of the year to be considered for the 2026 award, by sending their application materials to the following email address: contact-fondation@fondationbarriere.com

For more information on how to apply, please visit https://www.groupebarriere.com/notre-univers/fondation-barriere