The shortlist comprises Hitchcock, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Les Misérables, Lincoln, Looper, Men in Black 3 and Snow White And The Huntsman.

On Jan 5, all members of the Academy’s makeup artists and hairstylists branch will be invited to view 10-minute excerpts from each of the films.

Following this they will nominate three for awards consideration.

Nominations voting for the 85th Annual Academy Awards will open at 8am PT on Dec 17 for the 5,856-strong voting membership. Voters will have until 5pm PT on Jan 3 to vote electronically or post in a paper ballot.

Two hundred and eighty-two features are eligible for the awards this year.