Juliette Binoche and Kristen Stewart's new movie Sils Maria was the toast of the French film industry on Monday (15Dec14) after landing the prestigious Louis Delluc Critics' Prize.

Director Olivier Assayas' drama, about a veteran actress and her assistant, beat nominees including Jean-Luc Godard's Goodbye to Language and Best Foreign Language Oscar contenders Abderrahmane Sissako's Timbuktu (for Mauritania) and Bertrand Bonello's Yves Saint Laurent biopic, Saint Laurent, which has been chosen as France's entry for Academy Awards consideration, to claim the best film title.

Binoche accepted the award, which is voted for by a jury of 20 top movie reviewers, on behalf of Sils Maria's cast and crew during a ceremony in Paris on Monday.

Controversial drama Blue is the Warmest Color was named the winner of last year's (13) Louis Delluc Critics' Prize.

Meanwhile, Thomas Cailley was awarded the best first film honour for Les Combattants (Love at First Fight).