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Stars arriving for Oscar ceremony Oscar glory beckons in Hollywood
(10 minutes later)
Stars have begun arriving at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles for the 82nd Academy Awards, with best actress nominee Sandra Bullock among them. Stars from around the world are celebrating as the 82nd Academy Awards kick off at Hollywood's Kodak Theatre
First-time nominee Bullock, 45, is the favourite for the Oscar for her role in The Blind Side. Jeff Bridges is tipped to take best actor for Crazy Heart. Leading the nominations, Avatar and The Hurt Locker go head-to-head for best picture, with James Cameron and Kathryn Bigelow vying for the director award.
Leading the nominations, The Hurt Locker and Avatar will go head-to-head for the coveted best picture Oscar. Sandra Bullock is the favourite for the best actress Oscar for The Blind Side, while Jeff Bridges is tipped to take best actor for Crazy Heart.
Actors Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin are hosting the event.
The Hurt Locker's Kathryn Bigelow is expected to take best director.The Hurt Locker's Kathryn Bigelow is expected to take best director.
If she is named best director, she would become the first female to win the award - only four women have ever been nominated.If she is named best director, she would become the first female to win the award - only four women have ever been nominated.
Jeremy Renner - who is nominated for best actor for his role in Bigelow's Iraq war drama - described the unexpected success of the film as "like the top of Everest".Jeremy Renner - who is nominated for best actor for his role in Bigelow's Iraq war drama - described the unexpected success of the film as "like the top of Everest".
The low-budget film, which has made just $15m (£9.9m) at the box office, is battling James Cameron's 3D sci-fi juggernaut Avatar, which has taken more than $2bn (£1.32bn).The low-budget film, which has made just $15m (£9.9m) at the box office, is battling James Cameron's 3D sci-fi juggernaut Avatar, which has taken more than $2bn (£1.32bn).
Cameron was married to Bigelow between 1989 and 1991Cameron was married to Bigelow between 1989 and 1991
Speaking on the red carpet, Cameron paid tribute to his best director rival Bigelow, to whom he was briefly married, and with whom he has made a number of films.Speaking on the red carpet, Cameron paid tribute to his best director rival Bigelow, to whom he was briefly married, and with whom he has made a number of films.
"I've extolled her virtues to the world and supported her as a film-maker. I'd be tremendously proud if she won.""I've extolled her virtues to the world and supported her as a film-maker. I'd be tremendously proud if she won."
"We feel we've already been sufficiently celebrated," he added, referring to Avatar's "tremendous box office and the nine nominations"."We feel we've already been sufficiently celebrated," he added, referring to Avatar's "tremendous box office and the nine nominations".
For her part, Bigelow said she was "honoured to be in the same conversation" as Cameron.For her part, Bigelow said she was "honoured to be in the same conversation" as Cameron.
"I like to think about the work speaking for itself," added the 58-year-old, who is the first woman to be nominated for the best director gong since Sofia Coppola for Lost in Translation in 2003. "This film is really touching a nerve.""I like to think about the work speaking for itself," added the 58-year-old, who is the first woman to be nominated for the best director gong since Sofia Coppola for Lost in Translation in 2003. "This film is really touching a nerve."
British hopesBritish hopes
British hopeful Carey Mulligan, who is nominated for her breakthrough performance in An Education, was among the early arrivals.British hopeful Carey Mulligan, who is nominated for her breakthrough performance in An Education, was among the early arrivals.
"Everything has been building to this - it's massive," said Mulligan, 24."Everything has been building to this - it's massive," said Mulligan, 24.
She was closely followed by director Quentin Tarantino with Inglourious Basterds star Diane Kruger.She was closely followed by director Quentin Tarantino with Inglourious Basterds star Diane Kruger.
Tarantino's World War II fantasy, which has eight nominations including best director and best picture, is seen as the only film that could cause an upset in the race for evening's top award.Tarantino's World War II fantasy, which has eight nominations including best director and best picture, is seen as the only film that could cause an upset in the race for evening's top award.
The Hurt Locker is tipped to win the best picture OscarThe Hurt Locker is tipped to win the best picture Oscar
It is the first time since 1966 that 10 films have competed for best picture, prompting a major shake-up to the voting system, and paving the way for a possible surprise win.It is the first time since 1966 that 10 films have competed for best picture, prompting a major shake-up to the voting system, and paving the way for a possible surprise win.
Bridges, 60, has swept the awards season this year, winning Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards for his portrayal of an alcoholic country singer.Bridges, 60, has swept the awards season this year, winning Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards for his portrayal of an alcoholic country singer.
On Sunday he was backed by George Clooney, one of his rivals to the best actor trophy, who told reporters on the red carpet "I feel very lucky to be here and fairly aware of the idea that Jeff Bridges is going to win."On Sunday he was backed by George Clooney, one of his rivals to the best actor trophy, who told reporters on the red carpet "I feel very lucky to be here and fairly aware of the idea that Jeff Bridges is going to win."
"I love Jeff," said Clooney, himself a previous Oscar winner. "He's my friend, so it's kind of great.""I love Jeff," said Clooney, himself a previous Oscar winner. "He's my friend, so it's kind of great."
British actor Colin Firth, who will be vying with Clooney and Bridges for best actor, said the nomination alone was "as if somebody fired me out of a cannon".British actor Colin Firth, who will be vying with Clooney and Bridges for best actor, said the nomination alone was "as if somebody fired me out of a cannon".
"I am just circling Pluto on my way back, probably with a big thump tomorrow," he joked."I am just circling Pluto on my way back, probably with a big thump tomorrow," he joked.
Tarantino was joined by co-star Diane Kruger and Christophe WaltzTarantino was joined by co-star Diane Kruger and Christophe Waltz
Arguably Britain's best hopes lie with Nick Park, nominated in the short animated film category for the Wallace and Gromit film A Matter of Loaf and Death. Should he prove successful, it will be his fifth win at the Academy Awards.Arguably Britain's best hopes lie with Nick Park, nominated in the short animated film category for the Wallace and Gromit film A Matter of Loaf and Death. Should he prove successful, it will be his fifth win at the Academy Awards.
The best supporting actor and actress awards seem to be already in the bag for Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds) and Mo'Nique.The best supporting actor and actress awards seem to be already in the bag for Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds) and Mo'Nique.
The comedienne, nominated for her debut film role in Lee Daniels' harrowing drama, has dominated awards season for her devastating performance as abusive mother Mary.The comedienne, nominated for her debut film role in Lee Daniels' harrowing drama, has dominated awards season for her devastating performance as abusive mother Mary.
"I'm honoured for the whole process," said the actress, another first time nominee. "It's changed my life inwardly.""I'm honoured for the whole process," said the actress, another first time nominee. "It's changed my life inwardly."
Fellow best supporting actress Anna Kendrick - nominated for her role opposite George Clooney in Up In The Air - agreed it was "Mo'Nique's year".Fellow best supporting actress Anna Kendrick - nominated for her role opposite George Clooney in Up In The Air - agreed it was "Mo'Nique's year".
Asked about his rivals to the best director trophy, Precious' Daniels said: "I hate them all... I'm here to win."Asked about his rivals to the best director trophy, Precious' Daniels said: "I hate them all... I'm here to win."
He joked: "I'm stabbing whoever goes up there on that stage."He joked: "I'm stabbing whoever goes up there on that stage."