Crime caper American Hustle and space spectacular Gravity topped the Oscar nominations list with 10 each, leading a crowded field of contenders for Hollywood’s most coveted honours — with 12 Years a Slave star Michael Fassbender, U2 and Philomena among the Irish hopefuls.

U2 are nominated for best song at the Oscars, while Philomena - the story of an Irish mother searching for a son she gave up for adoption - has been nominated for Best Picture, Actress in a Leading Role, Screenplay, and Original Score.

Judi Dench is up for the Best Actress award at the Golden Globes tonight, for her role playing an Irish woman in the film 'Philomena'.

Steve McQueen’s 12 Years A Slave continued its award season success by picking up 10 nominations at the Baftas.

Captain Phillips ****

"They're not here to fish" - cast and director talk about 'Captain Phillips', the new thriller based on the 2009 hijacking of a US container ship by Somali pirates