The Live Winners List:
Best supporting actress: Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
Best animated feature: Wall-E.
Art Direction: The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button - Donald Graham, Burt Victor Graham Zolfo.
Costume design: The Dutchess - Michael O'Connor
Makeup: The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button - Greg Cannom.
Cinematography: Slumdog Millionaire - Anthony Dod Mantle.
Live short action film: Spielzeugland - Directed by Jochen Alexander Freydank.
Best supporting actor: Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight.
Documentary Feature: Man On Wire.
Visual Effects: The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button.
Outstanding Sound Editing: The Dark Knight - Richard King.
Sound mixing: Slumdog Millionaire.
Film Editing: Slumdog Millionaire.
Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award: Jerry Lewis.
Best Original Score: Slumdog Millionaire - A.R.Rahman.
Best Original Song: "Jai Ho" - Slumdog Millionaire. A.R.Rahman.
Foreign Languages Film: Departures.
Best Director: Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire.
Best Actress: Kate Winslet - The Readers
Best Actor: Sean Penn - Milk
Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire.
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For the 81st Oscars, it was a new look, new feel and a fresher approach. And for the most part, it worked.
Producers cut the fat of previous years, and lent a punchier, 'behind the scenes' feel to the presentation of the awards.
Long setups and elaborate comedy routines were eschewed for quick introductions to the various categories - spiced up with brief points explaining the backgrounds of writing, production, costume design, makeup, acting, animation and directing.
The admittedly nervous host, Australia's Hugh Jackman, maintained a steady, slick delivery thanks to the program's tightly formatted structure.
Jackman was under a certain level of pressure to perform well, with producers hoping to combat the falling ratings the ceremony has experienced in recent years.
He got off to a good start with an entertaining Broadway-style opening number that parodied the films up for best picture nomination.
Throughout the awards, he performed a medley of musical numbers which showcased his stage talents, sharing the duties with singer and actress Beyonce Knowles.
The crowd was also delighted by brief comedy routines by Steve Martin, Tina Fey and Jack Black.
Later, comedian Ben Stiller took a dig at derailed actor Joaquin Phoenix - appearing with actress Natalie Portman in full beard and long hair, and imitating Phoenix's recent rambling, incoherent dialog.
"You look like you work in a Hassidic meth-lab" Portman quipped.
As the awards kicked off, actress Penelope Cruz was the first to receive a gong, picking up Best Supporting Actress for her role in Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
Her reception of this award instantly dispelled a supposed "leak" of the winners list - with fake information suggesting the award would be picked up by Amy Adams.
Not surprisingly, best Animated Feature went to the wildly popular robot love story Wall-E. However, it was the only award the Disney/Pixar film would receive on the night.
But the moment on everyone’s mind was undoubtedly the announcement of Best Supporting actor, and in particular if the Late Heath Ledger would receive the Oscar for his critically acclaimed role as The Joker in The Dark Knight.
The actor, who died in January last year, was the recipient of the award.
Ledger's family graciously, yet emotionally accepted the Oscar on behalf of Heath's daughter, Matilda.
"Heath was such a compassionate and generous soul, who added so much excitement and inspiration to our lives." Heath's sister Kate said.
"We have truly overwhelmed by the honour and respect been bestowed upon him with this award."
"Tonight we are choosing to celebrate what he has achieved."
Following a series of emotional tribues, including Jerry Lewis's reception of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, Kate Winslet was given Best Actress for her role in The Reader, with many believing her first Oscar was well earnt.
Winslet was emotional about her recognition, and said her dream to win the Academy Award started at an early age.
"I'd be lying if I hadn't made a version of this speech. Before I was 8 years old and staring into the bathroom mirror speaking into a shampoo bottle. But this isn't a shampoo bottle." she said.
While Winslet's win was basically in the bag, the announcement of Sean Penn trumping Mickey Rourke for Best Actor was a surprise.
Penn won the award for his gripping portrayal of a homosexual politician in Milk.
Rourke was initially penned to nab the gong for his role in The Wrestler, a part that was considered his 'resurrection'.
Thanking the Academy, Penn made a provocative statement by jokingly referring to the industry as "commie homo loving sons of guns".
He later went on to urge the importance of accepting all walks of life, including homosexuals.
The real winner however, was Danny Boyle's romantic tale of urban India, Slumdog Millionare.
Picking up best Cinematography, Sound Mixing, Film Editing, Original Score, Original Song Best Directing, and culminating in Best Picture, the film was the standout selection of the awards.
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