(PRESS RELEASE) Beverly Hills, CA – Oscar® fans in New York City will be the first to see the actual Oscars that will be presented to the Best Actor and Best Actress winners at the 84th Academy Awards® on Oscar Sunday, February 26. The statuettes will be part of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ “Meet the Oscars, Grand Central” exhibition at Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Terminal. The exhibition will open on Wednesday, February 22 at 10 a.m., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by 2010 Academy Award®-winning actress Melissa Leo (“The Fighter”). Public viewing hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 22, and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, February 23, through Sunday, February 26. Admission is free.

“Meet the Oscars, Grand Central” will give movie fans the opportunity to have their photo taken holding an actual Oscar statuette. Visitors also will be able to view the Actor in a Leading Role Oscar won by Michael Douglas for “Wall Street” (1987) as well as a display of statuettes in various stages of completion, as manufactured each year by R.S. Owens & Company in Chicago.

On Saturday, February 25, the Oscars designated for this year’s Best Actor and Best Actress winners will make their way back to Hollywood, where they will be reunited with the rest of the statuettes to be presented on Oscar Night®.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements in 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide

Kevin Costner along with Clive Davis will speak this weekend at Whitney Houston’s funeral. Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin will also sing on Saturday, according to Houston’s rep.

After the tragic news broke out earlier this week that Houston had been found dead in her bathtub at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, condolences from fans and friends poured in from around the world. The subsequent media frenzy that followed her sudden and tragic death boosted the Grammys ratings to their 2nd highest ever, which honored her career. Producers of the show scrambled within just 24 hours to radically alter the music industry’s most important annual event in Whitney Houston’s honor.

Following the death of Whitney Houston, speculation mounted as to whether there had been any fowl play in her sudden death. None has been suspected but the circumstances surrounding her death are still unclear.

Kevin Costner, who starred in 1992 hit ‘The Bodyguard’ alongside Whitney Houston was invited to the funeral to speak. The actor’s onscreen performance with Houston was a box office smash around the world, and ‘The Bodyguard’ earned over $400 million in receipts.

Whitney Houston’s funeral will be held this Saturday at 12pm at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey.

ÉCU 2012 will showcase 100 films from 33 countries ranging from feature films, short films, documentaries, animation and student films to experimental works. The Official Selection – demonstrating quality, innovation and independence in both form and content – represents the very best independent filmmaking talent from around the world. Several films will be making their World Premieres at the festival and more than a dozen others will be making their European Premieres. Filmmakers will be competing in 14 categories for 24 awards, including the prestigious title of Europe’s Best Independent Film 2012.

Some highlights from ÉCU 2012′s official selection are:

“The Game” (Dir. Marcin Janiec), a Polish animation about a thrilling chess match between life and death. “The Boy Mir – Ten Years in Afganistan” (Dir. Phil Grabsky), a documentary from the UK which tracks cheeky, enthusiastic Mir from an 8-year-old boy to an 18-year-old man in war ravaged Afghanistan. Danish student film “Withering Love” (Dir. Samanou Sahlstrøm) is a tragic love story between Maria (César-award winner and internationally acclaimed Emmanuelle Béart) and Vincent (Denis Lavant). Also in competition is the visually stunning Greek film “Little King” (dir. Socrates Alafouzos), which tells a story of childhood abuse and its long-term damage and pain. Finally, one of the most intriguing films of the festival is the Australian documentary “Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea” (Dir. David Schmidt), which spotlights tension between ‘the system’ and asylum seekers longing to start a new life.

“We eagerly look forward to giving these great indie films the recognition they deserve by screening them to large audiences here in Paris” said Scott Hillier, Oscar-honoured filmmaker and ÉCU founder.

“In its 7th year, ÉCU continues its tradition of being a true filmmakers’ festival, in which directors can continue developing their unique creative voice and style in a creative and welcoming environment.”

In addition to the film screenings, festival attendees will have the opportunity to participate in an exciting array of workshops – such as scriptwriting, editing, acting and directing – led by industry professionals, as well as attend the Meet-the-Directors discussions, in which audience members pose questions directly to the filmmakers after their film screenings. There is also a full programme of live music hosted by ÉCU partner, Access Film-Music, as well as a variety of other festival-related parties and events.

Personalities from cinema, television and the arts, as well as filmmakers and film industry professionals, will mix with a cinema-loving public craving the energy, free-spiritedness and innovation that embodies independent film.

Since its inception seven years ago, ÉCU has proved to be a discovery point for many of Europe’s talented independent filmmakers. As a result of ÉCU’s commitment to the discovery, promotion and projection of independent films, and it is often referred to as the European version of the Sundance Film Festival.

ÉCU – The European Independent Film Festival 2012 will take place on the 30th and 31st of March and 1st of April in Paris at Cinema 7 Parnassiens located in the Montparnasse and the Cinema Action Christine located in the Saint Germain-des-Prés. For more information and a full list of the 2012 Official Selection, go to www.ecufilmfestival.com

Cooper will be seen next in “The Words” and, later this year, in “The Place Beyond the Pines” and “The Silver Linings Playbook.” His film credits include “The Hangover Part II,” “Limitless,” “Valentine’s Day,” “He’s Just Not That Into You,” “Yes Man,” “Failure to Launch” and “Wedding Crashers.”

Cooper joins a stellar list of previously announced Oscar presenters, including Halle Berry, Rose Byrne, Tom Cruise, Penélope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Tom Hanks, Angelina Jolie, Milla Jovovich, Ellie Kemper, Jennifer Lopez, Melissa McCarthy, Wendy McLendon-Covey, Maya Rudolph, Emma Stone and Kristen Wiig.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.

The Nicholl Fellowships competition is open to any individual who has not earned more than $5,000 from the sale or option of a screenplay or teleplay, or received a fellowship or prize of more than $5,000 that includes a “first look” clause, an option or any other quid pro quo involving the writer’s work. To enter, writers must submit a completed application online, upload one PDF copy of their original screenplay in English and pay the entry fee before 11:59 p.m. PT on May 1, 2012. The regular entry fee is US$52; an early-bird entry fee of US$35 is available for those who enter by 11:59 p.m. PT on March 15, 2012.

Online applications, rules and other details are available at www.oscars.org/nicholl

Fellowships are awarded with the understanding that the recipients will each complete a new feature-length screenplay during the fellowship year. The Academy acquires no rights to the works of Nicholl fellows and does not involve itself commercially in any way with their completed scripts.

Last year’s competition drew a record 6,730 entries. Since the program’s inception in 1985, 123 fellowships have been awarded.

Among the recent achievements by Nicholl fellows: Destin Daniel Cretton wrote and directed “I Am Not a Hipster,” which premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival; Andrew Marlowe created and executive produces and Terri Miller serves as a writer-producer on the ABC series “Castle”; and Jeffrey Eugenides published his third novel, The Marriage Plot, which is a National Book Critics Circle award nominee.

I am not a hipster trailer

Whitney Houston had one of the most iconic voices and her soulful music inspired music listeners around the world. Some of her hit songs include ‘I will Always Love you’ and ‘I have Nothing’ which featured in 1992 hit film starring Kevin Costner.

For those of who you are unfamiliar with Whitney’s onscreen outing alongside Kevin Costner, The Bodyguard is a charming romantic drama/ The film centers around a former secret service agent that must protect a pop singer (Houston) who’s journey into fame comes with a certain lifestyles and risks. Directed by Mick Jackson and Lawrence Kasdan, I have to say it is one of my favourite films. Whitney plays an incredible performance, and it’s genuine. Her pairing with Costner was brilliant, and because of her music, this film had such a heart to it. It’s really one of the only films that successfully incorporates the real life of a singer (music career) and the fiction of a Hollywood movie.

Whitney Houston faced challenges in her career, love, and defeat, but she triumphed time and time again. Today we remember her, and only wish the best for the family.

Top 5 Whitney Houston Hits

Whitney Houston: I will always love you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JWTaaS7LdU

Whitney Houston: Run to you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9rCobRl-ng

Whitney Houston:I have nothing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxYw0XPEoKE

Whitney Houston featuring Enrique Iglesias: Could I have this kiss forever

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9b_yWPdsQXY

Whitney Houston: My Love is Your Love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxZD0VQvfqU

The circumstances of her death are unknown but it was reported that she died in her hotel suite at the Beverly Hilton Hotel after paramedics failed to ressucitate her. The timing of her death coincides on the eve of the Grammy Awards, where she was scheduled to attend a pre-awards party. The Beverly Hilton Hotel was already packed with reporters ahead of tonights ceremony.

Today, the drama at the Beverly Hilton Hotel is one of sorrow and while Houston’s family and friends were close and ready to celebrate with friends, this tragedy will echo long after the Grammys Awards show is over.

Whitney Houston had a unique voice, and her career, which went global in the early 90s went sky high. She also appeared in 1992 hit ‘Bodygaurd’ alongside Kevin Costner which featured many of her songs. She struggled with a messy divorce, and drug addiction in the 2000s. She later went on Oprah, a longtime supporter of Whitney, to announce her comeback, which fizzled. Critics were quick to pan her voice for sounding broken, and not the personality the world had witnessed back in the 90s. It is clear that a drug addiction and personal issues had an unbalancing effect on Whitney’s life. She had never fully regained the glory of her youth, and today we mourn one of our greatest icons.

Whitney Houston may you rest in peace…

Whitney Houston : I Will Always Love You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JWTaaS7LdU

Whitney Houston in ‘The Bodyguard’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsUniU8fF2A

(PRESS RELEASE) Beverly Hills, CA – On Sunday, February 26, charities in 49 cities will host official Oscar® viewing parties during the 84th Academy Awards® ceremony as part of Oscar Night America (ONA), the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ grassroots outreach program.

The Academy sanctions charities across the country to host celebratory viewing parties on Oscar Night with proceeds directly benefiting the charities. All parties will feature the live broadcast of the Awards presentation; many will integrate Hollywood-style party elements, including red carpet arrivals, local celebrities, “paparazzi” photographers, predict-the-winner contests and live entertainment.

The 2012 Oscar Night America charities and cities are (alphabetical by city):

KiMo Theatre, Albuquerque, NM
The Center for Family Resources, Atlanta, GA
AIDS Interfaith Residential Services (AIRS), Baltimore, MD
The Ellie Fund, Boston, MA
Shea’s Performing Arts Center, Buffalo, NY
Virginia Film Festival, Charlottesville, VA
Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
People Working Cooperatively, Cincinnati, OH
Ashtabula County Medical Center Foundation, Cleveland, OH
USA Film Festival, Dallas, TX
Denver Film Society, Denver, CO
Southgate Community Players, Detroit, MI
Waterfront Film Festival, Grand Rapids, MI
Community Theatre of Greensboro, Greensboro/Winston-Salem, NC
Junior League of Greenville, Greenville, SC
Connecticut AIDS Resource Coalition, Hartford, CT
Hawaii International Film Festival, Honolulu, HI
American Cancer Society, High Plains Division, Houston, TX
United Way of Central Indiana, Indianapolis, IN
Variety – The Children’s Charity of Eastern Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
Variety – The Children’s Charity of Southern Nevada, Las Vegas, NV
Wolfe Street Foundation, Inc., Little Rock, AR
MEND – Meet Each Need with Dignity, Los Angeles, CA
WHAS Crusade for Children, Louisville, KY
Ronald McDonald House of Memphis, Memphis, TN
Miami Beach Film Society, Miami, FL
COA Youth & Family Centers, Milwaukee, WI
Aegis Foundation, Minneapolis, MN
Belcourt Theatre, Nashville, TN
American Red Cross, Southeast Louisiana Chapter, New Orleans, LA
Ronald McDonald House of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City, OK
Alzheimer’s Association, Midlands Chapter, Omaha, NE
Variety – The Children’s Charity of Florida, Orlando, FL
Palm Beach International Film Festival, Palm Beach, FL
Volunteers of America Delaware Valley, Philadelphia, PA
Arthritis Foundation, Greater Southwest Chapter, Phoenix, AZ
Rhode Island International Film Festival, Providence, RI
Theatre In The Park, Raleigh, NC
Central Virginia Film Institute, Richmond, VA
Capital City AIDS Fund, Sacramento, CA
Cinema St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
Utah AIDS Foundation, Salt Lake City, UT
Special Olympics Texas, San Antonio, TX
Community Campership Council, Inc., San Diego, CA
California Film Institute, San Francisco, CA
Starlight Children’s Foundation Northwest, Seattle, WA
Isabel’s House, Springfield, MO
Tampa Theatre, Tampa, FL
Fox Tucson Theatre Foundation, Tucson, AZ

To set these parties apart from the thousands of other events taking place on Oscar Night, each ONA party receives from the Academy copies of the official commemorative poster and the official Oscar show program among other items.

Only one charity party in a given media market may participate in ONA. Events are entirely produced by local nonprofit organizations, with the active participation of the local ABC-TV affiliate station.

Last year 51 charities hosted viewing parties for the 83rd Academy Awards with 17,332 guests in attendance nationwide. More than $3.5 million was raised, all of it remaining in local communities. Since its inception in 1994, the program has generated nearly $33.5 million in funding for a wide spectrum of charitable organizations – every cent staying within the community where it was raised.

For the 19th consecutive year, Concept Marketing Development of Santa Barbara, California, will assist the Academy in coordinating the program.

Mike Leigh at the Berlin Film Festival :

“Hollywood’s inevitable domination is dwindling and this is great news for European directors, including me.”

The close ties between the UK and American film industry are certainly beneficial to both countries. Making a film is always about collaboration and lots of US productions are often shot in Europe. While I respect Mike Leigh for his contribution to cinema I don’t think his views are realistic or supported by many in Europe including Germany.

If Europe really wants to become a film production powerhouse it needs to centralize its industries and subsidies, however the main problem for this is one, a language barrier and two; culture differences. What works for France, won’t work for Spain, Italy, Romania and so on. The US market for films is in one language and there is a skilled workforce in Hollywood that makes the industry  highly competitive. From a culture perspective, British audiences tend to prefer American movies over Bollywood productions and European cinema. There is always going to be a demand for Hollywood in Europe, but that doesn’t mean Europe should not thrive and support its own filmmakers. I think that idea needs to be strengthened. I hope investment increases for local productions to be successful in the European market, and also overseas in America, the Middle East and even Asia. Why not?

Mike Leigh:

“I congratulate myself for heading this jury, because, to me, festivals like Cannes and Berlin have contributed to establishing our cinema’s influence and to countering the wave of films from Hollywood. This problem does not only threaten Europe. Try to be a European director, or in fact one anywhere in the world, and you cannot look at your work from a competitive point of view because of this domination.”

– Cineuropa

I would hope that people reading these statements do not feel that this reflects the overall sentiment of Europe towards Hollywood because it doesn’t. There is a pro-Hollywood movement in both the UK, France and elsewhere from what I have experienced, speaking with filmmakers across Europe at major film festivals this past year. There is also a thriving French film industry right here, but again, it has its flaws, like any other.

Film festivals like Cannes and Berlin are very open to Hollywood films especially at the Cannes Film Festival, where the draw of Hollywood stars and movies is significant. These festivals are after all a business and Hollywood is very good at marketing their movies and people come out to festivals to see them. Try telling the Cannes Film Festival to block all Hollywood ties and embrace European cinema. That festival would fall apart. You can’t close your doors to Hollywood because you don’t like the idea that they are better than you. Why not try to give the tools to European filmmakers so they can be succesfull like their Hollywood friends? I also would say being competitive with Hollywood gives European cinema the initiative to be greater than it is right now. It can only get better.

Mike Leigh is this year’s President of the Jury at the 2012 Berlinale Film Festival 

We are witnessing a digital revolution with millions of web users watching short films as they become the standard communication tool promoting values, culture and business ethics.

From music videos to politics, short films are the medium of choice to communicate ideology, vision, style and much more. What better way to do it than through the unlimited potential of visual storytelling? For a long time short films have been the underdog of the film industry but they are set to become a bigger deal than Hollywood movies themselves. Let me show you a few examples of how relevant short films are today in digital communication, and also how they have a bigger potential audience than regular Hollywood releases. Below you will find successful shorts that have attained millions of views thanks to their originality and ‘cult’ status.

Short Films in Entertainment

In the film industry, short films in the form of trailers are important marketing tools to promote big releases. We see them on TV too, transitioning to social media and video sharing sites like Youtube and Dailymotion. But now, there’s a monetization aspect behind short films that makes it more interesting for studios and even indie filmmakers to make them and this is not just from a promotional point of view. Why is Youtube investing $100+ million in premium content channels with celebrities? The growth is huge. People love short content. It’s likely that most of you reading this article will have watched at least 2 short videos in the last 24 hours. With the growth of video ads, and an online audience of hundreds of millions, investing money in a viral short film could bring huge returns. Also, a short film on Youtube for example, can be up there for years. It has a timeless value if done properly and it’s just very exciting to see its potential, which is still just at the beginning of the growth phase.

From the perspective of talent agents who represent A list actors, short films are not a great format to get involved with but now that concept can be reversed. If a short filmmaker has a really engaging short project, and a good team of people behind it (marketing included) should talent agents shut the door on them? I have heard so many great projects being ignored by top agencies because they were short films, and it’s short filmmakers who are the future of this industry. Whether you represent Tom Cruise or Angelina Jolie, there’s a huge audience online waiting to see these actors in the short film space. I can only see these collaborations as a win-win. It’s not necessarily about milking the financial model of a short. Let’s face it, making money directly off short films has never been the aim of the format, but now there’s a real opportunity to do so, and without selling out. Ads combined with product placement, viral concepts, and comedy can generate huge returns, build massive audiences and provide stars with an increase in viewership for everything they do.

Short Films in Politics & Culture

The Arab Spring will go down in history as the first truly worldwide movement mobilized through the power of the web. The message of short films created the atmosphere for change and uprisings. From street protests to gun battles, short films, videos and first hand accounts toppled governments, enforced change, and spread the idea of accountability and transparency. Short films in the form of interviews and amateur videos captivated people. They were also not the product of a Hollywood studio, but of citizens witnessing actual change.

In a political climate, short films are the propaganda tools of our generation. The viral nature and amplification effect of the web has skyrocketed the influence of these short films and there is more to come. From Governments to NGOs, all organizations are turning to the format to speak their ideas and inform their followers.

Short Films in Business

In business, short films are the communication tools of values, products, innovation, transparency and much more. It’s the interaction of video that makes it so interesting for businesses in all industries to reach out to people across the web and connect with them more personally. This medium just continues to shine, and there’s proof of that. If we look at the ‘business’ behind chat shows like ‘Piers Morgan Tonight’ and Anderson Cooper, even these guys are turning to short films to build their audiences online and get them engaged with their shows.

To add to this argument, the power of short films not only builds movements (as we can see in the world today), but it connects people to each other. It’s an emotional tool that people can become part of, not just in the online space. Once your message is out there, and it’s engaging, people can become aligned with your values for years, and it creates new possibilities and new collaborations.

I hope with this information you can discover a positive way to use short films in your daily lives. There are so many good things about short films that I could write another 10,000 words on this topic. For now, I hope you can enjoy what the web has to offer. Below is a list of viral short films, each with their own flair of creativity. You may not agree with them, and you may not like them, but the fact that millions have seen them is a lesson for you to make your shorts catch the attention they deserve.

Short films that gained international recognition (in no particular order)

These short films and music videos gained huge viewerships online and didn’t star major actors or boast million dollar production budgets. This is proof of concept. Now it’s time to take it to the next step, and I hope agents, actors and filmmakers reading this can appreciate the value that short films have in our world today. Best of luck to you! I also want to thank all the short filmmakers who have contributed their success stories to our network, which you can see in our interviews section.

Short film: Attaque De Panico!
6.7 million views

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dadPWhEhVk

A filmmaker from Uruguay uploaded a sci-fi effects driven short film that impressed major film producers. He was later reportedly hired to shoot a $30 million feature film with Sam Raimi.

Music video: Rebecca Black : Friday
(Original) 100+ million views

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfVsfOSbJY0

Rebecca Black attained worldwide fame with her cheesy song ‘Friday’. The original video garnered over 100 million views and catapulted this young teenager into the spotlight with a music career and a huge fan base.

Short videography: Ted Williams
20+ million views

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rPFvLUWkzs

Remember Ted Williams, the homeless man? A video of him using his voice skills became a global hit after a videographer from the Columbus Dispatch uploaded it online. The press and bloggers loved it and he subsequently became a media figure after attracting so much praise for his talent.

Short infomercial: Will it Blend?
10+ million views

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg1ckCkm8YI

Blendtec uploaded a catchy video showing how their blender products could actually ‘blend’ an iphone into pieces. It was so unique it garnered cult status and catapulted the business to new heights. Customers were given proof of value and it was very entertaining.

In 1999 Jolie took home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in “Girl, Interrupted,” and she received a nomination in 2008 for her lead performance in “Changeling.” Jolie recently made her writing and directing debut with the film “In the Land of Blood and Honey.” She will be seen next in “Maleficent.” Jolie’s other film credits include “Kung Fu Panda 2,” “The Tourist,” “Salt,” “Wanted,” “A Mighty Heart,” “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” “Taking Lives” and “The Bone Collector.”

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.

Jovovich is the star of “The Fifth Element” and the “Resident Evil” franchise. She will next be seen in the feature “Resident Evil: Retribution.”

Portions of the Scientific and Technical Awards presentation will be included in the Oscar® ceremony.

Academy Awards® for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.

The film will open in theaters on Friday, April 20th, launching day and date with all VOD and digital platforms.

VH1 has come onboard to license the first TV Window of the film as part of their Emmy-Award winning VH1 Rock Doc franchise and will work with Magnolia and the filmmakers to promote the film across their music lover channel.

Made with the unprecedented support of the Marley family, MARLEY is the first film to tell the definitive life story of the musician, revolutionary, and legend, from his earliest days to his rise to international superstardom. Along with an incredible soundtrack, the film features rare footage, archival photos, and incredible performances and interviews with his family, friends, and bandmates – the people that knew him best. The film is sure to be a revelation to Bob Marley fans, of which there are many (the triple-platinum artist has nearly 35 million fans on his Facebook page alone), and newcomers alike.

“Bob Marley is a fascinating, towering figure in musical history, and MARLEY is the biography that he deserves,” said Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles. “Kevin Macdonald has once again shown himself to be a master documentarian with this eye-opening, entertaining, beautifully crafted film.”

“This documentary is the ultimate revelation of my father’s life,” said Executive Producer Ziggy Marley. “The family is proud to be able to have the world finally experience this emotional journey.”

The deal was negotiated for Magnolia by SVP of Acquisitions Dori Begley and Head of Business Affairs Chris Matson and for VH1 by Ben Zurier and Brad Abramson with Liesl Copland of WME Global on behalf of the filmmakers.

Cruise was nominated for his lead performances in “Born on the Fourth of July” and “Jerry Maguire.” He also was nominated for his supporting role in “Magnolia.” Cruise was recently seen in “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” and will be seen next in “Rock of Ages.” His other film credits include “Tropic Thunder,” “War of the Worlds,” “Collateral,” “Minority Report,” “A Few Good Men,” “Rain Man,” “The Color of Money” and “Top Gun.”

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.

Completed ballots must be returned to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) by 5 p.m. Tuesday, February 21. Ballots received after the deadline will not be counted. Listed on the ballots are nominees in 19 Awards categories. Separate ballots for five categories (Documentary Feature, Documentary Short Subject, Foreign Language Film, Animated Short Film and Live Action Short Film) will be distributed after verification of mandatory member attendance at screenings.

Following the tabulation of the votes, the winners’ names will be placed in sealed envelopes to be opened on Oscar Sunday, February 26.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, 2012, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.