The 76th Academy Awards presentation today

Rings dominates Oscar nominations
The Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson is up for best director. The final Lord of the Rings film is hot favourite to sweep this year's Oscars after being given 11 nominations.

The Theatre Hall
Kodak Theatre, the venue of the Oscars is located at the intersection of Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Ave. The complex features a press area for 1,500 journalists and a 40,000 square-foot Grand Ballroom. The seating capacity is 3,400 with three balcony levels that bring audiences close to the theatre stage, which measures 113 feet wide and 60 feet deep. There are also 24 theatre boxes with four to six seats each.

The Oscars on TV
This year's event has been licensed to record 194 international territories and will be shown by over 90 broadcasters internationally. In Asia, Star Movies will telecast the show on March 3 at 7 pm Bangladesh time. Channel-i has also licensed the telecast for the first time in Bangladesh. The channel will telecast the show on March 14.

The Nominees Actor in a leading role
Johnny Depp for Pirates of The Caribbean: the Curse of the Black Pearl, Ben Kingsley for House of Sand and Fog, Jude Law for Cold Mountain, Bill Murray for Lost in Translation, Sean Penn for Mystic River

Actress in a leading role
Keisha Castle-Hughes for Whale Rider, Diane Keaton for Something's Gotta Give, Samantha Morton for In America, Charlize Theron for Monster, Naomi Watts for 21 Grams

Direction
City of God, The Lord of the Rings: the Return of the King, Lost In Translation, Master and Commander: the Far Side of the World, Mystic River

Sound Track
Belleville Rendez-vous from The Triplets of Belleville, Into the West from The Lord of the Rings, A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow from A Mighty Wind, Scarlet Tide and You Will Be My Ain True Love from Cold Mountain

Best Picture
The Lord of the Rings: the Return of the King, Lost in Translation, Master and Commander: the Far Side of the World, Mystic River, Seabiscuit