Both keen film aficionados and casual purveyors of cinema won’t have missed the Oscar nominations being released today. The usual suspects are in line, and there were some pretty high profile snubs, too. But at least we can get on with the most exciting part of awards season: arguing over which film will grab Best Picture.

Oscars 2014

It’s a strong category. 12 Years a Slave is the bookies favorite, with Steve McQueen’s deeply emotive slavery epic receiving 8 other nominations, including a Best Actor nod for the film’s lead, Chiwetel Ejiofor. But a surge in betting has seen American Hustle emerge as an interesting outsider, despite having cleaned up so far with various acting awards being doled out to the all star cast – none more so than current Hollywood darling, Jennifer Lawrence.

The Academy, while usually nominating a widely accepted bunch of films, are prone to pull some surprises out of the bag come ceremony night; anyone remember when Lincoln was beaten to the finish line by Argo? You really should; it was only last year.

12 Years a Slave Chiwetel Ejiofor and Michael FassbenderChiwetel Ejiofor and Michael Fassbender in Oscars favorite, 12 Years a Slave

So with the Academy’s penchant for upsetting the apple cart, combined with a vast array of excellent films in line to pick up the year’s most prestigious gong, there’s no telling which director will be clutching the golden statuette, hurrying through an acceptance speech while desperately trying not to offend anyone by leaving them out.

Have your say: which film will win best Picture at this year’s Oscars?