Cast member of 'Dreamgirls' Jennifer Hudson poses for the media during a photocall to advertise the film in Berlin January 19, 2007. [Photo: Reuters]

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"Dreamgirls," a musical drama inspired by Motown group the Supremes, scored a leading eight Oscar nominations, but was omitted from the coveted best picture and directing categories, organizers said on Tuesday.

"Babel," a bold examination of the woes afflicting humanity in the early 21st century, followed with seven nominations, followed by Spanish-language adult fairy tale "Pan's Labyrinth" and the British royals drama "The Queen" with six each.

The best picture nominees were "Babel," "The Departed," "Letters from Iwo Jima," "Little Miss Sunshine" and "The Queen."

The directing nominees were Mexican filmmaker Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu for "Babel," Martin Scorsese for "The Departed," Clint Eastwood for "Letters from Iwo Jima," and British directors Stephen Frears for "The Queen" and Paul Greengrass for "United 93."

The 79th annual Academy Awards, the top honors in cinema, will take place on February 25 in Hollywood.