It may have been the Critics Choice Awards, but all the talk was about the Oscars.

Nominations for the Academy Awards were announced earlier in the day.

The all-star "American Hustle" received 10 Oscar nominations.

And it was named best comedy film that evening by the 281-member Broadcast Film Critics Association, with Amy Adams winning best comedy actress.

Director David O. Russell said he was honoured by the Oscar nods.

SOUNDBITE: Director, David Russell, saying (English):

"I am very grateful to be part of it at all. I think if you get to participate at this level, your actors get to participate and your designers. It makes me very very grateful."

"12 Years a Slave" joined "American Hustle" at the top of the Oscar pile.

The slavery biopic was given the coveted Best Picture by critics, but is still up against tough competition for the Oscar.

Director Steve McQueen said the calibre of this year's nominations was astonishing.

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