BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. 

Martin Scorsese's Paris adventure "Hugo" leads the Academy Awards with 11 nominations, among them best picture and the latest director slot for the Oscar-winning filmmaker.

Also nominated for best picture today: the silent film "The Artist," the family drama "The Descendants," the Sept. 11 tale "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close," the Deep South drama "The Help," the romantic fantasy "Midnight in Paris," the sports tale "Moneyball," the family chronicle "The Tree of Life" and the World War I epic "War Horse."

The nominations set up a best-picture showdown between the top films at the Golden Globes: best musical or comedy recipient "The Artist" and best drama winner "The Descendants."

"The Artist" ran second with 10 nominations.

The nominees for lead actor are: Demián Bichir, "A Better Life"; George Clooney, "The Descendants"; Jean Dujardin, "The Artist"; Gary Oldman, "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"; and Brad Pitt for "Moneyball," according to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences website. 

The nominees for lead actress are: Glenn Close, "Albert Nobbs"; Viola Davis, "The Help"; Rooney Mara, "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"; Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady"; and Michelle Williams, "My Week with Marilyn."

The nominees for best supporting actor are: Kenneth Branagh, "My Week with Marilyn"; Jonah Hill, "Moneyball"; Nick Nolte, "Warrior"; Christopher Plummer, "Beginners"; and Max von Sydow, "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close."

The nominees for supporting actress in a motion picture are: Octavia Spencer, "The Help"; Berenice Bejo, "The Artist"; Jessica Chastain, "The Help"; Janet McTeer, "Albert Nobbs"; and Melissa McCarthy, "Bridesmaids."

The Oscars will be presented Feb. 26 at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, hosted by Billy Crystal and broadcast live on ABC.

Pilot writer Cindy Clayton contributed to this report.