The French Critics' Syndicate has named Jacques Audiard's The BeatThat My Heart Skipped as best film of 2005. The lauded film, a remake ofJames Toback's 1978 Fingers, is currently up for a BAFTA award as best foreign film.

Created in 1946, the Critics' prize is overseen by the samegroup that organizes Critics' Week in Cannes.

Best foreign film went to David Cronenberg'sA History OfViolence which had a berth in the main Cannescompetition and has been a favourite with international critics.

In the best first French film category, Karin Albou's La PetiteJerusalem was the winner. The film also ran in Critics' Week and picked upthe Prix Michel D'Ornano in Deauville.