Oscar nominees attend star-studded luncheon to celebrate 'year like no other'

Will Smith, Kristen Stewart, Jessica Chastain and Bradley Cooper were among the stars in attendance

British filmmaker Kenneth Branagh and wife, Lindsay Brunnock, attend the 94th Annual Oscars Nominees Luncheon at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles on March 7, 2022. AFP

US actress Kristen Stewart arrives at the 94th Annual Oscars Nominees Luncheon. EPA

US actress Jessica Chastain. AFP

US actor and director Bradley Cooper. AFP

British actor Andrew Garfield. AFP

US singer-songwriter Billie Eilish. AFP

British actor Benedict Cumberbatch. AFP

US actor Will Smith. Reuters

Actors Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz. Reuters

US actresses Ariana DeBose, left, and Paloma Garcia-Lee. AFP

US actor JK Simmons. AFP

US actor and singer Lin-Manuel Miranda. AFP

US actress and filmmaker Maggie Gyllenhaal, left, and her husband, US actor Peter Sarsgaard. AFP

US actress Aunjanue Ellis. AFP

US actor Denzel Washington. AFP

US director Steven Spielberg. AFP

British actress Emilia Jones. AFP

American actress Ariana DeBose. AFP

Will Smith, Kristen Stewart and other Academy Awards contenders gathered on Monday to celebrate at the annual Oscar Nominees Luncheon, one of the film industry's largest gatherings since the Covid-19 pandemic limited the Hollywood awards circuit.

Benedict Cumberbatch, Jessica Chastain, Steven Spielberg and Bradley Cooper also joined the crowd in a packed ballroom at the Fairmont Century Plaza hotel in Los Angeles. Stars mingled with sound mixers, costume designers and other behind-the-scenes workers in contention for this year's Oscars, which will be awarded in a live ceremony on March 27.

"This is a year like no other," said Will Packer, producer of this year's Oscars telecast. "If there's ever a time to be grateful for and revel in an occasion that allows us to be in the same room, ladies and gentleman, this is the year."

In 2021, the nominees luncheon was scrapped and the Oscars ceremony was held in front of a small audience at a train station in downtown Los Angeles.

This year, organisers are planning for a big crowd at the show's long-time home of the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

Dark Western film The Power of the Dog leads the field of contenders with 12 nominations, followed by sci-fi epic Dune.

At Monday's luncheon, Packer gave nominees advice on how to give a memorable acceptance speech. He urged them to be concise and to skip the tradition of thanking agents, managers or other representatives.

"Frankly the audience doesn't care," Packer said. "You know what they do care about? They care about you, your journey, your passion ... Talk about that."

Scroll through the gallery above to see some of the stars at the Oscars luncheon