Six films have been shortlisted for the Prix Louis-Delluc,one of France's top cinematic awards.

The contenders are:

Philippe Collin's crime drama Aux Abois Philippe Garel's Venice entry Les Amants Reguliers Cannes laureate Cache by Michael Haneke Jacques Audiard's critical darling De Battre Mon Coeur S'est Arrete Stephane Brize's San Sebastian film Je Ne Suis Pas La Pour Etre Aime Xavier Beauvois' Le Petit Lieutenant which ran in Venice's Venice Days sidebar this year.

Four films will also competeas best first film:

A Ce Soir, a drama by Laure Duthilleul San Sebastian New Directors effort Alex by Jose Alcala Anthony Cordier's Douches Froides a Directors' Fortnight selection at Cannes and Berlin Panorama entry Frederic Balekdjian's Les Mauvais Jouers.

TheLouis Delluc prize was first handed out in 1937.

Recentwinners have included Nicolas Philibert's documentaryEtre Et Avoir and Arnaud Desplechin'sRois Et Reine. Thisyear's awards will be presented in December.