The hilarious Avignon triumphs at the Alpe d’Huez Comedy Festival 2025
The film by Johann Dionnet, notably starring Baptiste Lecaplain and Alison Wheeler, leaves with three statuettes, including the Grand Prix. Well deserved.
The world is sometimes well made: with Love is overrated, Avignon was one of our two favorites from the 28th Alpe d’Huez Comedy Film Festival, which ended last night. This romantic comedy, directed and performed by Johann Dionnet, dominated this 2025 edition by winning three major awards, including the Grand Prix. The film, which does not yet have a release date, was also awarded the Prix coup de cœur des Alpes awarded by the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and the Canal+ Prize for best film. Avignon features Baptiste Lecaplain and Alison Wheeler in a hilarious and tender plot, following the misadventures of Stéphane, an actor involved in a sentimental deception during the Avignon festival. Elisa Erka, the revelation of the film, plays the role of Fanny, a rising actress who pushes the protagonist to become entangled in an absurd lie. During the awards ceremony, Johann Dionnet, very moved, dedicated his victory “ to all the theater companies who are struggling » and to artists plagued by doubt.
The winners of this edition shone with the presence of young directors. Among them, Mourad Winter stood out with Love is overratedwhich received an unprecedented Special Mention from the jury. Adapted from his own novel, this film follows Anis, played by an excellent Hakim Jemili, in his learning of love and human relationships alongside Madeleine, played by a charming Laura Felpin. This touching and funny comedy will be released on April 23.
The Special Jury Prize was awarded to Rules of the art by Dominique Baumard. This detective comedy, inspired by a real news story, follows Melvil Poupaud and Sofiane Zermani in a plot to steal masterpieces from the Museum of Modern Art.
The public acclaimed The Responder by Fabienne Godet, an original comedy where a writer hires a gifted impersonator to answer the phone for him. Salif Cissé impresses alongside Denis Podalydès in this surprising film.
Benjamin Laverne was awarded the Male Interpretation Prize for his role in The mix of genres by Michel Leclerc, a story set in a feminist collective where he plays a failed actor wrongly accused of sexual assault.
Finally, the Female Interpretation Prize was awarded jointly to Hélène Vincent and Juliette Gasquet for their roles in We will go by Enya Baroux. This dramatic comedy which recalls Little Miss Sunshinetells the story of a grandmother’s final journey to Switzerland for her assisted suicide, surrounded by her son and granddaughter.
Here is the complete winners list for the 2025 edition of the Alpe d’Huez Festival:
Grand Prize: Avignon by Johann Dionnet
Favorite of the Alps Prize: Avignon by Johann Dionnet
Canal+ Prize for best film: Avignon by Johann Dionnet
Special mention from the jury: Love is overrated by Mourad Winter
Special jury prize: Rules of the art by Dominique Baumard
Audience Award: The Responder by Fabienne Godet
Male Actor Award: Benjamin Laverne in The mix of genres by Michel Leclerc
Female Actor Prize: Hélène Vincent and Juliette Gasquet in We will go by Enya Baroux
Short film prize: Golden Fingers by Chryssa Florou
