Oscar Buzz 2025: Why “The Substance” Missed a Nomination Unlike “Emilia Pérez”? Explained

The César nominations have been announced! The French blockbuster “The Count of Monte Cristo” has secured a whopping 14 nominations, while “Crazy Love” and “Emilia Pérez” have received 13 and 12 nominations, respectively. Jacques Audiard’s international musical drama “Emilia Pérez” confirms its massive success, already having been nominated for 13 Oscars.

Meanwhile, French director Coralie Fargeat earns her first César nomination in the Best Foreign Film category for her horror smash “The Substance,” starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley. If Fargeat is French, why isn’t her film eligible for all the other categories like “Emilia Pérez”?

“The Substance,” a French film… or not?

The answer is straightforward: despite the director’s nationality, “The Substance” is an American-British production. The César Academy rules that a film is eligible for all categories only if it is financed by France.

Although the film was primarily shot on the French Riviera with an entirely French technical crew, “The Substance” was produced by Working Title Films, a British company.

What about “Emilia Pérez”?

That’s why Coralie Fargeat’s film is not nominated in the Best Foreign Film category at the Oscars. It is considered an English-language film.

On the other hand, “Emilia Pérez,” featuring an entirely non-French-speaking cast, is regarded as a French production. It is backed and financed by Why Not Productions, Page 114, and co-produced by Pathé, France 2 Cinéma, and Saint Laurent Productions.

The 50th César Awards ceremony will take place on February 28.