PanARMENIAN.Net - In line with expectations, five of the highest-profile European films of the year, four Cannes competition competitors, will vie for Best European Film at this year's European Film Awards: Paul Verhoeven's "Elle," Ken Loach's "I, Daniel Blake," Pedro Almodovar's "Julieta," Lenny Abrahamson's "Room," and Maren Ade's "Toni Erdmann", Variety reports.

But it's the film from the least-known of the five directors, "Toni Erdmann" - at least until it bowed at the Cannes Festival to one of the best critical receptions in years - that leads the pack with five major European Film Award nominations, which were announced this Saturday, November 5 in Seville.

Stars Isabelle Huppert has scored a nomination for best actress for "Elle," and Hugh Grant will compete for the best actor plaudit for "Florence Foster Jenkins."

Staged by the European Film Academy, the European Film Awards take place on Dec. 10 in Wroclaw, Poland, the European Capital of Culture 2016, on Dec. 10.

In the European Film Awards shortlists, notably only "Toni Edmann" has scored nominations in all five major categories. It is followed by four for "I, Daniel Blake," which went on after its Cannes Palme d'Or win to score Audience Awards at Locarno and San Sebastian.

So the European Film Awards could allow sweet revenge for Maren Ade; or go another way, becoming a tribute to one or more of Europe's film greats.

That scenario could spell compensation for "Elle," which has notched up three EFA nominations, but was again shut out of major kudos at Cannes, despite some rave reviews for both Huppert's performance and for Verhoeven.

Pedro Almodovar's "Julieta" scored three main nominations - feature, director and actress for Emma Suaacute;rez and Adriana Ugarte - for a film which Almodovar once contemplated shooting in English.

Beyond their European heavyweight directors, the main category EFA shortlists offer further recognition for actors and actresses who, though not quite international stars, are now gleaning tributes for their career and recent performances. Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, for example, receives a homage at the Seville European Festival.

Staged by the European Film Academy, the European Film Awards take place on Dec. 10 in Wroclaw, Poland, the European Capital of Culture 2016.