LOS ANGELES (AFP) ―French director Michel Hazanavicius won another nod for his silent movie “The Artist” Monday, joining Woody Allen and Martin Scorsese among nominees for Directors Guild of America (DGA) best film.

“Social Network” director David Fincher earned his third DGA nomination ― seen as a key indicator for Oscars glory ― for “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” while Alexander Payne got his nod for “The Descendants.”

Veteran U.S. filmmakers Allen and Scorsese ― both DGA Lifetime Achievement Award winners ― won nominations for “Midnight in Paris” and “Hugo” respectively. It is Allen’s fifth DGA nod, and Scorsese’s ninth.

The DGA nomination is the first for Hazanavicius, whose black-and-white tribute to the silent movie era is leading the pack for Golden Globes next weekend with six nominations.

Since 1948 only six winners of the DGA feature film award have failed to go on to win best director at the Oscars, the climax of Hollywood’s annual awards season.

The directors’ awards will be presented on Jan. 28 ― four days after the Academy Award nominations are announced, ahead of the Oscars show on Feb. 26.