France’s prestigious Prix Louis Delluc has announced its preliminary shortlist for this year’s competition. Eight films will vie for the 73-year-old award which last year went to Jacques Audiard’s A Prophet.

The eight films are: Olivier Assayas’ Carlos (in its long version); Des Filles En Noir by Jean-Paul Civeyrac; France’s Oscar entry, Of Gods And Men by Xavier Beauvois; Mysteres De Lisbonne by Raul Ruiz; Bertrand Tavernier’s La Princesse De Montpensier; Roman Polanski’s The Ghost Writer; Matheiu Amalric’s Cannes entry On Tour and Claire Denis’ White Material.

The prize for best first film will be chosen from six films. They are: Belle Epine by Rebecca Zlotowski; Domaine by Patrick Chiha; Joann Sfar’s Gainsbourg (Vie Heroique); Une Execution Ordinaire by Marc Dugain; Un Poison Violent from Katell Quillevere and La Vie Au Ranch by Sophie Letourneur.

Cannes Film Festival president Gilles Jacob and his jury will announce this year’s winners on Dec 17.