‘Nouvelle Vague,’ ‘Arco’, ‘The Little Sister’ in the running for France’s Louis Delluc prizes

Six French films that all premiered at this year’s Cannes Film Festival are in the running for France’s prestigious Louis Delluc prize for best film of the year.  

They are: Richard Linklater’s Nouvelle Vague, Hafsia Herzi’s The Little Sister and  Dominik Moll’s Case 137, which all premiered in Cannes Competition; Anna Cazenave Cambet’s Un Certain Regard selection Love Me Tender, Laurent Cantet’s Directors’ Fortnight opener Enzo directed by Robin Campillo, and ACID premiere Drifting Laurent from directing trio Anton Balekdjian, Léo Couture and Mattéo Eustachon.

The nominations for a second Louis Delluc prize to best first feature are:  Ugo Bienveu’s Arco, a strong contender for best animated feature at the Oscars this year;  Pauline Loques’ Nino, which earned this year’s Prix d’Ornano-Valenti for best French feature at the Deauville American Film Festival after premiering at Cannes’ Critics’ Week;  Alexe Poukine’s Cannes’ Critics’ Week comedy drama Kika, Valentine Cadic’s Berlin premiere That Summer In Paris and Aurelien Peyre’s L’Epreuve Du Feu.

The Louis Delluc prize was founded in 1936 and is awarded by a jury of film critics and professionals and presided over by former Cannes Film Festival director Gilles Jacob. It traditionally kicks off awards season in France, setting the stage for contenders likely to figure in ceremonies including the César awards and the Lumières. Several of this year’s films also feature in the shortlist for the upcoming European Film Awards including Case 137, The Little Sister, Love Me Tender and Arco.

Last year’s Louis Delluc prizes went to Alain Guiraudie’s Misericordia for best film and Jonathan Millet’s Ghost Trail for best debut feature.

The winning 2025 Prix Louis Delluc films will be announced on December 10 and presented at a ceremony on January 26 at the French Cinematheque.

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