Scots-born writer Armando Iannucci spoke exclusively to STV News after his first movie was nominated for an Oscar.

His political satire, In The Loop, based on his hit TV show, The Thick of It, is up against the likes of Nick Hornby for An Education and George Clooney's Up In The Air for Best Adapted screenplay.

The married father-of-three, once described as "the hardman of political satire", says he is delighted at how well British film has been represented at the awards and modestly wishes another Brits movie well.

The Glaswegian said: "We are up against An Education which is a fantastic film. Again a small, low budget film, which was made the way they wanted. And it is a great film.

"I don't see it as competition, I just see it as great that we are both nominated and British acting talent is getting nominations.

"I really do think it's been a fantastic year for British films. Films shot and funded in the UK. A great cause for celebration irrespective of who wins."

In The Loop is set in the corridors of power in Washington and London as the US and UK consider going to war against an un-named middle-eastern country (clearly a thinly-veiled reference to Iraq). It received great critical acclaim when it was released to cinema-goers last year, with stars including Tom Hollander, Peter Capaldi and Sopranos lead James Gandolfini.

The satire, which Iannucci also directed, and was premiered at the Glasgow Film Festival last year, and won huge critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic.

It has already won the New York Film Critics Circle Award, a British Independent Film Award and is nominated for  two Baftas.

Now Iannucci must wait until March 7 to find out if he can add an Oscar to his growing list of accolades.

He said: "I honestly don't know if I'll win. And I don't think there is much point thinking about it to be honest. 

"Because if I do I'll just end up with a miserable, tense four weeks ahead of me and an awful evening.
whereas I'm just going to enjoy it from start to finish."

Read about the other movies Iannucci is sharing centre stage with on the night.

See the full list of Oscar nominees.