CANNES DISPATCH
Photographs by GREG WILLIAMS
Words by JANE CROWTHER
2026 TROPHÉE CHOPARD
‘I’ve never been here before and never thought in a million years that this would be happening the first time that I came here,’ Marty Supreme actor Odessa A’zion told the audience at this year’s Chopard Trophy ceremony, presented by French icon Isabelle Huppert. Photographed by Greg Williams at the Martinez Hotel’s Chopard terrace before festivities, the American actor was recognised alongside Connor Swindells as a next generation talent at the jeweller’s annual festival award.
‘Cannes is a place of memory, but it’s also a place of birth. Every year, new faces appear,’ Huppert said in her welcoming address. ‘Tonight, we celebrate two singular presences, two sensibilities, two paths that are only beginning to be written and that we already want to follow’. When she took to the stage to accept her gold and silver film reel trophy, A’zion said, ‘I don’t know why you guys chose me, but I’m so grateful. There are so many actors that I admire who are part of this lineage of this award and this is so crazy. This is really cool.’
A’zion hit big this year as Marty’s childhood sweetheart in Josh Safdie’s award-winning film but has risen to prominence in I Love LA, She Rides Shotgun, Sitting in Bars with Cake and Fresh Kills. She has a packed slate ahead with Justine Triet’s psychological thriller, Fonda opposite Andrew Scott and Mia Goth, as well as Mother Courage with Sarah Paulson and Naomi Watts.
Having awarded new talent since 2001, The Trophée Chopard has a long list of previous recipients who have consolidated their wins with stellar careers including Marion Cotillard, James McAvoy, Léa Seydoux, Diane Kruger, Florence Pugh, Jessie Buckley, Gael García Bernal, Anya Taylor Joy and Naomi Ackie. The celebration, co-hosted by Chopard’s Caroline Scheufele, festival president Iris Knobloch, and general delegate Thierry Frémaux, was attended by a glittering guestlist who ate dinner by Michelin-starred chef, Bruno Oger, and enjoyed a performance from pianist Gina Alice Adlinger at the Carlton Beach Club on Cannes’ golden sands.
Trophée Chopard (Chopard Trophy) is awarded by a jury of professionals to two young actors in order to recognise and encourage their career
