The French film about a literature teacher in inner-city Paris received glowing reviews and several other wins -- including an Independent Spirit Award for best foreign-language film -- though it came up short at the Oscars and at the Cesars (France's Oscar equivalent), taking home only a writing award at the latter.

CNN: Cannes exposure is no guarantee of success

The film has been nominated for best foreign-language film at this year's Oscars.

ECONOMIST: Poland's historical epic in the limelight

Israel's controversial "Waltz With Bashir, " an animated film about a soldier's memories of the 1982 war in Lebanon, received a nomination for best foreign-language film.

CNN: 'Benjamin Button' hooks 13 Oscar nominations

"The Counterfeiters" from Austria took the best foreign-language film.

CNN: 'Old Men,' Europeans seize Oscars

It has been picking up awards since winning the Golden Bear at its world premiere at the 2011 Berlin International Film Festival and is one of the front-runners for best foreign language film at the upcoming Academy Awards.

CNN: Review: 'A Separation' is a great family drama

And the U.S. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is considering whether to nominate Nairobi Half Life for an Oscar in the Best Foreign Language Film category -- the first time a Kenyan movie has been considered.

CNN: Gangster movie Kenya's first Oscar contender

There's a clear favourite to win the Academy Award for best foreign language film this time - based on its spread of nominations alone, Amour is already an Oscar hit.

BBC: Oscars: best foreign film contenders

After Dersu Uzala was Kagemusha (Shadow Warrior), winner of the Cannes Palme d'Or in 1980, and Ran (Chaos, 1985), an adaptation of Shakespeare's King Lear which won him an Academy Award nomination for best director - a feat almost unheard of for a foreign-language film.

CNN: Kurosawa Akira

Austrian writer-director Michael Haneke's old-age love story "Amour" won for best international film, a possible prelude to the Oscars, where his film is the favorite to win the foreign-language prize and is nominated for best picture.

NPR: 'Silver Linings' Leads Spirit Awards With 4 Prizes