00:06 GMT - Stars arrive on the red carpet - The stars have begun arriving on the giant red carpet outside Hollywood's Dolby Theatre. Amy Adams, best actress nominee, is making her way down in a gorgeous, glove-like navy strapless sheath dress.
Meanwhile Philomena Lee, whose real life story was the inspiration for best film contender "Philomena", is on the red carpet with her daughter. They tell KTLA interviewers they didn't take comedian Steve Coogan seriously when he first approached them with the idea of the film but were soon won over. Lee, who is played by best actress nominee Judi Dench in the film, describes being at the Oscars as "the highlight of my whole life".
Best actor contender Bruce Dern, 77, nominated for "Nebraska", arrives with his daughter, Laura Dern. The actress gushes about her father's many qualities including the fact "he demands the truth from everyone around him". Dern is equally full of praise for his daughter, who was nominated for a best actress Oscar in 1992 for "Rambilng Rose". This is the second Oscar nomination for Dern Sr, who was last nominated in 1979 for best supporting actor for "Coming Home".
Those keen to see the return of the Jared Leto 'man bun' are disappointed to see the best supporting actor's locks flowing freely down his back. The 42-year-old frontrunner, who has been cleaning up at the precursor awards, is almost certain to take the stage again tonight. It's a far cry from "My So-Called Life".
00:00 GMT - Welcome to AFP's live report - The 86th Academy Awards is one of the most exciting in years, a race packed with critically acclaimed contenders that has left some of the top categories still impossible to call.
The unusually suspenseful contest has made for some aggressive, down-to-the-wire campaigning as Hollywood titans and red carpet regulars vie with breakout stars for gold.
Best picture appears a three-way race between harrowing period epic "12 Years a Slave" (9 nominations) and top-nominated contenders 3D space blockbuster "Gravity" and comic drama "American Hustle" (both with 10 nominations).
Top acting honors, however, are likely to go to other films. Cate Blanchett ("Blue Jasmine") has an apparent lock on best actress while Matthew McConaughey ("Dallas Buyers Club") seems set to collect his first Oscar, unless "12 Years" star Chiwetel Ejiofor or Leonardo DiCaprio ("The Wolf of Wall Street") can pip the former rom com beefcake to the best actor prize.
History could be made if Steve McQueen wins best director for "12 Years" and becomes the first black director to do so. And Jennifer Lawrence could become the youngest actress with two Oscars if she beats rival Lupito Nyong'o ("12 Years") in the best supporting actress category.
On stage, expect plenty of music as all four best song contenders perform - will Pharrell Williams manage to leave his giant Vivienne Westwood hat at home? Meanwhile Ellen DeGeneres is back for her second hosting gig, a bid to return to safer waters after last year's controversial turn by Seth MacFarlane, whose abrasive routine raised as many hackles as laughs. Can the 56-year-old showbiz veteran keep the viewers laughing? Let's go the Dolby Theatre to find out.
00:06 GMT – Stars arrive on the red carpet – The stars have begun arriving on the giant red carpet outside Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre. Amy Adams, best actress nominee, is making her way down in a gorgeous, glove-like navy strapless sheath dress.
Meanwhile Philomena Lee, whose real life story was the inspiration for best film contender “Philomena”, is on the red carpet with her daughter. They tell KTLA interviewers they didn’t take comedian Steve Coogan seriously when he first approached them with the idea of the film but were soon won over. Lee, who is played by best actress nominee Judi Dench in the film, describes being at the Oscars as “the highlight of my whole life”.
Best actor contender Bruce Dern, 77, nominated for “Nebraska”, arrives with his daughter, Laura Dern. The actress gushes about her father’s many qualities including the fact “he demands the truth from everyone around him”. Dern is equally full of praise for his daughter, who was nominated for a best actress Oscar in 1992 for “Rambilng Rose”. This is the second Oscar nomination for Dern Sr, who was last nominated in 1979 for best supporting actor for “Coming Home”.
Those keen to see the return of the Jared Leto ‘man bun’ are disappointed to see the best supporting actor’s locks flowing freely down his back. The 42-year-old frontrunner, who has been cleaning up at the precursor awards, is almost certain to take the stage again tonight. It’s a far cry from “My So-Called Life”.
00:00 GMT – Welcome to AFP’s live report – The 86th Academy Awards is one of the most exciting in years, a race packed with critically acclaimed contenders that has left some of the top categories still impossible to call.
The unusually suspenseful contest has made for some aggressive, down-to-the-wire campaigning as Hollywood titans and red carpet regulars vie with breakout stars for gold.
Best picture appears a three-way race between harrowing period epic “12 Years a Slave” (9 nominations) and top-nominated contenders 3D space blockbuster “Gravity” and comic drama “American Hustle” (both with 10 nominations).
Top acting honors, however, are likely to go to other films. Cate Blanchett (“Blue Jasmine”) has an apparent lock on best actress while Matthew McConaughey (“Dallas Buyers Club”) seems set to collect his first Oscar, unless “12 Years” star Chiwetel Ejiofor or Leonardo DiCaprio (“The Wolf of Wall Street”) can pip the former rom com beefcake to the best actor prize.
History could be made if Steve McQueen wins best director for “12 Years” and becomes the first black director to do so. And Jennifer Lawrence could become the youngest actress with two Oscars if she beats rival Lupito Nyong’o (“12 Years”) in the best supporting actress category.
On stage, expect plenty of music as all four best song contenders perform – will Pharrell Williams manage to leave his giant Vivienne Westwood hat at home? Meanwhile Ellen DeGeneres is back for her second hosting gig, a bid to return to safer waters after last year’s controversial turn by Seth MacFarlane, whose abrasive routine raised as many hackles as laughs. Can the 56-year-old showbiz veteran keep the viewers laughing? Let’s go the Dolby Theatre to find out.
