American Society of Cinematographers Nominations: Seven Films Nominated

The American Society of Cinematographers has announced its nominees for Best Cinematography.

The society is known for predicting who will end up winning the award at the Oscars.

This year the ASC surprised pundits and chose seven films for the award. According to Variety, it was the result of a three-way tie. The nominees were Sean Bobbit ("12 Years a Slave"), Emmanuel Lubezki ("Gravity"), Barry Ackroyd ("Captain Phillips"), Roger Deakins ("Prisoners"), Bruno Delbonnel ("Inside Llewyn Davis"), Phillippe Le Sourd ("The Grandmaster") and Phadon Papamichael ("Nebraska").

ASC president Richard Curdo said in a statement, "Our members believe these cinematographers have set the standard for artful, theatrical motion picture cinematography. They have mastered a complex craft which contributes vitally to the storytelling process."

Lubezki won the ASC two times for his work on "Children of Men" and "The Tree of Life."

Meanwhile, Delbonnel was honored for his work on "A Very Long Engagement."

Deakins has been nominated for 12 ASC awards and has won three times including last year when he took home the award for "Skyfall."

Le Sourd garnered his first nomination for the ASC while Ackroyd garnered his second; he was previously nominated for "The Hurt Locker."

Papamichael garnered his third nomination and first one for a motion picture. He was previously nominated for TV series.

Bobbit was also a first time nominee. His work for "Shame," and "Hunger," however, has been previously lauded by a number of organizations.

The ASC will announce the winner at the awards ceremony on Feb. 1 at the Hollywood & Highland Ray Dolby Ballroom.