Birdman and Boyhood nominated for Producers Guild awards

Birdman (left) and Boyhood have emerged as frontrunners in this year's awards race

Broadway satire Birdman and coming-of-age tale Boyhood are among the 10 films up for the Producers Guild of America's version of a best picture prize.

Clint Eastwood's American Sniper, Steve Carell thriller Foxcatcher and David Fincher's Gone Girl have been nominated for the guild's Darryl F Zanuck Award.

Into the Woods and Selma are notably missing from the 10 films, one of which will collect the prize on 24 January.

Last year saw a dead heat between space drama Gravity and 12 Years a Slave.

The latter went on to be named best picture at the Oscars, while Gravity took home the best director prize.

The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Imitation Game, The Theory of Everything and Whiplash also make the shortlist for the PGA's award.

So does Jake Gyllenhaal's photojournalism drama Nightcrawler, a surprise nominee according to trade paper Variety.

Five more titles make the cut for the PGA's animated film producer prize, among them The Lego Movie, Big Hero 6 and How to Train Your Dragon 2.

Brad Pitt's production company Plan B will receive a special award at this year's ceremony, to be held at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles.