This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment/6390897.stm

The article has changed 30 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
World waits to hear Oscar winners World waits to hear Oscar winners
(about 5 hours later)
Millions of film fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the 79th Academy Awards in Los Angeles.Millions of film fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the 79th Academy Awards in Los Angeles.
The Oscars ceremony takes place at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on Sunday at 1700 local time (0100 GMT on Monday).The Oscars ceremony takes place at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on Sunday at 1700 local time (0100 GMT on Monday).
British hopeful Dame Helen Mirren is hotly tipped to win the coveted best actress award for her role as Elizabeth II in Stephen Frears' film The Queen.British hopeful Dame Helen Mirren is hotly tipped to win the coveted best actress award for her role as Elizabeth II in Stephen Frears' film The Queen.
Forest Whitaker is favourite to win best actor, with The Departed leading the pack for best film.Forest Whitaker is favourite to win best actor, with The Departed leading the pack for best film.
Martin Scorsese is tipped to take his first best director Oscar for The Departed after five previous nominations in the category.Martin Scorsese is tipped to take his first best director Oscar for The Departed after five previous nominations in the category.
Mirren is one of three British contenders for best actressMirren is one of three British contenders for best actress
Preparations for the event are being finalised, with giant Oscars statuettes in place and grandstand seating erected outside the Kodak Theatre.Preparations for the event are being finalised, with giant Oscars statuettes in place and grandstand seating erected outside the Kodak Theatre.
US comedy star and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres will host the glittering ceremony, becoming only the second woman, after Whoopi Goldberg, to present the annual telecast single-handedly.US comedy star and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres will host the glittering ceremony, becoming only the second woman, after Whoopi Goldberg, to present the annual telecast single-handedly.
Other nominees in the most sought-after categories are Leonardo DiCaprio, Will Smith, Ryan Gosling and Peter O'Toole for best actor, and Penelope Cruz, Dame Judi Dench, Meryl Streep and Kate Winslet for best actress.Other nominees in the most sought-after categories are Leonardo DiCaprio, Will Smith, Ryan Gosling and Peter O'Toole for best actor, and Penelope Cruz, Dame Judi Dench, Meryl Streep and Kate Winslet for best actress.
HAVE YOUR SAY I'd like Last King of Scotland to win Fiona Gell Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY I'd like Last King of Scotland to win Fiona Gell Send us your comments
Dame Judi has already said she will not be attending the ceremony because she will be in hospital having surgery on her leg.Dame Judi has already said she will not be attending the ceremony because she will be in hospital having surgery on her leg.
Musical drama Dreamgirls has eight nominations, including three for best song, but missed out on a nod best picture. Musical drama Dreamgirls has eight nominations, including three for best song, but missed out on a nod for best picture.
The films in the running are The Queen, Babel, The Departed, Letters From Iwo Jima and Little Miss Sunshine.The films in the running are The Queen, Babel, The Departed, Letters From Iwo Jima and Little Miss Sunshine.
Former Oscar winners Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon are among those presenting awards on the night, along with James Bond star Daniel Craig.Former Oscar winners Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon are among those presenting awards on the night, along with James Bond star Daniel Craig.