| Number: | 22 |
| Award: | César Awards |
| Date: | 8 February 1997 |
| Site: | Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, Paris, France |
| Host: | Antoine de Caunes |
| Best Film: | Ridicule |
| Best Actor: | Philippe Torreton |
| Best Actress: | Fanny Ardant |
| Network: | Canal+ |
| Last: | 21st |
| Next: | 23rd |
The 22nd César Awards ceremony, presented by the Académie des Arts et Techniques du Cinéma, honoured the best French films of 1996 and took place on 8 February 1997 at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris. The ceremony was chaired by Annie Girardot and hosted by Antoine de Caunes. Ridicule won the award for Best Film.