Just a month and a half to go before one of the first big events in the Hollywood back-patting season begins - The Screen Actors' Guild awards, taking place on January 29, 2012.

Today they revealed their shortlist, featuring all the nominations in both TV and film. You can find the film nods here below, and if you're after the TV list too, you probably best head to their website, where everything can be found in full.

As for what can be gleaned from this list, it seems that the performers-only gongs the SAG give away every year are favouring The Help, with four nominations under their collective belt.

Elsewhere, there are some expected nods, such as Meryl Streep for The Iron Lady, as well as some pleasant surprises, like Melissa McCarthy getting a tip of the cap for her work on Bridesmaids.

The list itself:

Outstanding Performance By A Cast In A Motion Picture
Bridesmaids
The Artist
The Descendants
The Help
Midnight in Paris

Outstanding Performance By A Male Actor In A Leading Role
George Clooney, The Descendants
Demian Bichir, A Better Life
Leonardo DiCaprio, J. Edgar
Jean Dujardin, The Artist
Brad Pitt, Moneyball

Outstanding Performance By A Female Actor In A Leading Role
Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn
Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs
Viola Davis, The Help
Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
Tilda Swinton, We Need to Talk About Kevin

Outstanding Performance By A Male Actor In A Supporting Role
Nick Nolte, Warrior
Kenneth Branagh, My Week With Marilyn
Armie Hammer, J. Edgar
Jonah Hill, Moneyball
Christopher Plummer, Beginners

Outstanding Performance By A Female Actor In A Supporting Role
Octavia Spencer, The Help
Berenice Bejo, The Artist
Jessica Chastain, The Help
Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids
Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs

Outstanding Performance By A Stunt Ensemble In A Motion Picture
The Adjustment Bureau
Cowboys & Aliens
Harry Potter and the Deahtly Hallows: Part II
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
X-Men: First Class

The Screen Actors' Guild awards will take place on January 29 2012.