More than 150 Oscar nominees descended upon the Beverly Hills Hilton in California on Monday to celebrate the joy of “just being nominated” at the Academy Awards annual nominee luncheon.
The guest list was packed full of stars including Cate Blanchett, Leonardo DiCaprio, Amy Adams, Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper and Matthew McConaughey just to rattle off a few.
In a deliberate democratic move, the event encourages mingling between nominees by seating the obscure first-time nominees alongside the most revered directors and famous faces.
Each nominee for best director was also on the guest list, including Alfonso Cuaron, Steve McQueen, Alexander Payne, David O. Russell and Martin Scorsese.
With less than three weeks until the 86th Academy Awards, the race for best picture remains a three-way contest between American Hustle, Gravity and 12 Years a Slave all vying for the Oscar.
Academy members will cast their Oscar votes Feb. 14-25.
The Oscars luncheon sees first time nominees rub shoulders with industry legends.
Cate Blanchett shimmered in silver on the red carpet. The actress is up for a golden statue for her leading role in Woody Allen’s Blue Jasmine.
First time Oscar nominee Jared Leto has won praise for his supporting role as a transgender woman who forms an unlikely friendship with a homophobic straight man in Dallas Buyers Club.
It’s hard to believe that The Wolf of Wall Street star Leonardo DiCaprio is yet to get his hands on a golden statue. Many believe this will be the talented actor’s year to take out the Best Actor nod.
12 Years a Slave star Lupita Nyong’o has become a firm fashion favourite at every red carpet event and this appearance was no exception.
Alan Partridge creator Coogan is nominated for two awards – Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture for his work on heartbreaking drama, Philomena.
Julie Delpy is nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay for Before Midnight which she co-wrote with Ethan Hawke.
Ethan Hawke, Maya Thurman-Hawke and Julie Delpy inside the Oscars luncheon.
Meryl Streep has received her 18th Oscar nomination for best actress for August: Osage County.
Jonah Hill is up for his second Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in The Wolf of Wall Street.
Martin Scorsese is nominated for a Best Director Oscar for the most talked about film of the year, The Wolf of Wall Street.
Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves smile for the cameras inside the event. McConaughey is nominated for Best Actor for his leading role in Dallas Buyers Club.
Bradley Cooper is nominated for his supporting role in American Hustle.
Steve McQueen is on course to become the first black winner of the best director Oscar after the nominations for the 86th Academy awards.
Sandra Bullock is nominated for her leading role in Gravity. Critics believe the Best Actress in a Leading Role award is a two-horse race with Bullock and Cate Blanchett firm favourites to take out the award.
Sandra Bullock and Pharrell Williams pose for a picture inside the event. Three-time Grammy winner, Pharrell is up for Best Original song for his jam Happy, which her produced for the animated film Despicable Me 2.
Kristen Bell performed songs from animated film Frozen at the event.
American Hustle actress Amy Adams is the only nominee in her Best Actress in a Leading Role category that has not previously won an Oscar. She faces off against Cate Blanchett, Sandra Bullock, Dame Judi Dench and multiple Oscar winner, Meryl Streep.
Each nominee is called to the stage as their nomination is read to the crowd.
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