Notable AFI absences included cult drama “The Master” and the upcoming “The Hobbit.” But the AFI, founded in 1967 to nurture the art of film, does not pick an overall winner.

“AFI Awards celebrates America's storytellers as collaborators,” said AFI President Bob Gazzale in a statement. “We are honored to bring together artists as a community, without competition, to acknowledge the gifts they have given the world in 2012,” he said.

“Zero Dark Thirty,” the yet-to-be-released film about the hunt for bin Laden, has emerged as a front-runner for Oscar glory after picking up accolades last week from both the New York-based National Board of Review and the New York Film Critics Circle.  But on Sunday, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association shunned the political thriller in favor of French drama “Amour” for best film.

The AFI also picked its top 10 television shows, with “Mad Men” making a record fifth appearance on the list. The advertising drama was joined by “Breaking Bad,” zombie horror “The Walking Dead,” “American Horror Story,” “Homeland,” “Girls,” comedy “Modern Family,” epic fantasy “Game of Thrones,”  political TV movie “Game Change, and comedian Louis C.K.'s show “Louie.” The films and TV shows and their makers will be celebrated at a luncheon in Los Angeles on Jan. 11.

Oscar nominations are to be announced on Jan. 10, with the Oscar ceremony set for Feb. 24 in Hollywood.