Appeals Court Overturns Conviction: Former CNC President Dominique Boutonnat Acquitted

Versailles – 03.07.2026: The Court of Appeal in Versailles acquitted Dominique Boutonnat, the former president of the Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée (CNC), on appeal of the charge of sexual coercion. The decision overturns the Nanterre court’s verdict, which in June 2024 had sentenced him to three years in prison, including one year without suspension. Boutonnat had appealed that judgment. The written reasoning for the acquittal is expected in the coming days.

The case concerned allegations of alleged assaults in August 2020 on a Greek island. In the appeal hearing, conflicting accounts of the night’s events were again presented. The defense pointed to inconsistencies in the statements from the civil party and reiterated the defendant’s assertions of innocence. The public prosecutor relied on the account of the alleged victim and on indications that, in its view, pointed to a punishable act. The chamber ultimately ruled in favor of the defendant in cases of doubt and acquitted Boutonnat.

The case had attracted significant attention in France. As a long-time producer and later CNC president, Boutonnat influenced funding decisions and was visible on cultural policy matters. After the first-instance conviction in 2024 he resigned his post, and the authority became the focus of an intense debate about power relations, prevention standards and how to handle allegations against senior figures. Industry representatives and interest groups have since pointed to the need for clear reporting channels, protection concepts and reliable points of contact for those affected.

With the acquittal on appeal, procedural questions now come to the fore: central will be how the chamber assessed the credibility of the statements and the evidentiary value of the presented indications. The public prosecutor and the legal representatives of the civil party announced they will carefully review the written reasoning of the judgment. Only on that basis can it be determined whether further appeals are to be considered and whether the case will be reviewed by the highest court. Until then, the appeals chamber’s judgment remains in force.

Regardless of the legal outcome, cultural sector institutions are maintaining internal reviews and prevention measures. Codes of conduct, training and reporting systems are being discussed more intensively within funding and training structures. The debate also touches on how state-funded institutions can clearly define responsibilities and ensure transparency toward employees and funding recipients. For those affected and advisory centers, access to independent help remains central.