Its two stars, Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo, are in the running for best actor and actress.

British Cold War-era spy movie Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is close behind The Artist, with 11 nominations.

Meryl Streep is nominated for best actress in The Iron Lady, with George Clooney among best actor hopefuls.

Streep and Bejo are up against Michelle Williams for My Week With Marilyn, Tilda Swinton for We Need to Talk About Kevin and The Help's Viola Davis.

Clooney and Dujardin take on Brad Pitt for Moneyball, Gary Oldman for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Shame's Michael Fassbender.

Reacting to The Artist's brace of nominations, Dujardin said: "It makes me so happy that so many people are embracing this movie, a black and white silent film, and that it is becoming so universally celebrated.

"To be recognized in a category with these other actors, whose work I have admired for a long time, is a true honour."

His co-star Bejo added: "If I were in London right now, I would dance for you. Thank, you, Bafta members! "

Gary Oldman, one of Tinker Tailor's stars, said the film was among those representing the "very Best of British" at this year's Baftas.

Martin Scorsese's Hugo has nine nominations - Scorsese gains a nod for best director, while his other recent film, George Harrison: Living in the Material World, is up for best documentary.

Other movies in the running for best film are Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Descendants, Drive and The Help.

bbc.com