This image released by Fox Searchlight shows Chiwetel Ejiofor, center, in a scene from the film, "12 Years A Slave." The film was nominated for a Directors Guild award on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2014. The winners will be announced on Jan. 25. (AP Photo/Fox Searchlight, Jaap Buitendijk)LOS ANGELES (AP) — Steve McQueen has received his first directors guild nomination for his grimly historic saga "12 Years a Slave," substantiating the British director's location as a high contender at the Academy Awards.