Producers Guild Award: Birdman, Boyhood shine again

Birdmanand Boyhood,two of the front runners for Hollywood's filmhonoursthis year, were nominated along with a slew of small movies on Monday for the top Producers Guild Award, a reliable predictor of the best picture Oscar.

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Among the 10 films nominated for outstanding producer in the a motion picture were noir L.A. drama Nightcrawlerand the tale of a drummer's obsession in Whiplash,both small independent films with Oscar chances.

Unbroken, Selma snubbed

The notable exclusions were two films that opened Dec. 25, Angelina Jolie's second film as director, the World War Two survival story Unbroken,and the civil rights drama Selma.

Clint Eastwood's portrayal of an Iraq war hero in American Snipermade the list, as did two British biopics, The Imitation Gameand The Theory of Everything.

Rounding out the nominations were the film adaptation of the best-selling novel Gone Girl,the American wrestling tragedy Foxcatcherand the offbeat period comedy The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Birdman,a satire of show business, and Boyhood,a coming-of-age drama filmed over 12 years with the same actors, are the favourites going into the awards season that kicks off next Sunday with the Golden Globe Awards.

The Producers Guild of America has 6,700 members, and in its 25 years handing out its top award has managed to choose the eventual winner of the Academy Award for best picture for the last seven years.

The PGA hands out its awards on Jan. 24, while the Oscars are held on Feb. 22.