The 81st Oscar Awards aired live

MANILA, Philippines - The world will witness the biggest movie event of the year, the 81st Academy Awards celebration where all of the world’s film industries’ royalties will be present to pay tribute to the best silver screen works and talents 2008 has produced. 

 The complete coverage of the major film event will be seen on ABS-CBN, Velvet Skycable Channel 53 and Studio 23.

This year’s awards is set at Kodak Theater at Hollywood and Highland Center and promises more surprises for the viewers. Australia star and first time host for the Academy Awards Hugh Jackman believes this year’s program will be more intimate.

Like in the past years, one of the most anticipated events is the red carpet. Fans, viewers and celebrities await who’s-wearing-who, what color and style was chosen by a certain actor or actress, who became more bold in their choice of gown and which celebrity will be chosen the Best Dressed and of course, Worst Dressed by the Fashion Police. Some of the favorites are Valentino, Gucci, Armani, Christian Dior and Vera Wang. But a superstar’s attire does not only focus on the dress or suit itself but gives importance to the right jewelry, flashy handbags, gorgeous shoes and even the star’s date for the night, said to be the best accessory one could have.

The Academy Awards also holds some of the most memorable moments when it comes to the winners’ victory speech. It could either be a very humorous or a touching one but all of them unforgettable because this is after all the Oscars.

Vying for Best Picture, a peculiar film about a man born old who grows younger as time passes, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button leads the pack with the most number of nominations followed by relatively unknown Indian film Slumdog Millionaire which narrates a story of a man who suddenly becomes a millionaire and has to face its consequences. Other Best Picture contenders are Milk, about a gay camera store owner who runs for office; Frost/Nixon, a story about how former President Richard Nixon and journalist David Frost’s lives intertwine and The Reader, a drama about a May-December affair which results in something deeper rooted in the character’s history.

The Academy Awards will be aired on Feb. 23, 7 a.m. with the awarding ceremony at 9:30 a.m. There will also be a live telecast on ABS-CBN on the same day at 9:45 a.m.