THE EUROPEAN FILM ACADEMY has drawn up a short list of forty features to compete for best film of 2000 in the EUROPEAN FILM AWARDS which take place in Paris this year for the first time.

Now in their fourth year, the awards have struggled to be taken seriously as a European equivalent of the Oscars and the ceremony last year in Berlin was notable for its lack of star power.

The awards, however, are seen as a good indicator of European films likely to be nominated for Oscars.

PEDRO ALMODOVAR's ALL ABOUT MY MOTHER won the award for best European film in 1999 before going on to win the best foreign film Oscar this year (00).

The awards ceremony will be held on 2 December (00) at the Theatre National de Chaillot will be produced by DDA Productions and broadcast "as live" by networks throughout Europe.

The event is backed by the French and German governments as well as the European Union's MEDIA Program.

(PDD/BB)

Source: WENN