BEVERLY HILLS, California (Reuters) — 165 Oscar-nominated actors and filmmakers gathered in Beverly Hills on Monday (February 6) for the traditional luncheon to celebrate those who have being shortlisted.
Among those speaking to reporters in cabanas around the hotel’s pool after the luncheon were “La La Land” director Damien Chazelle, “Moonlight” director Barry Jenkins, “Loving” actress Ruth Negga, “Hidden Figures” producer Pharrell Williams and Broadway phenom, Lin-Manuel Miranda, who has a nomination for best original song, “How Far I’ll Go,” from “Moana.”
Miranda likened the procession of awards shows and events leading up to the Oscars to a teenage right of passage, but with a bigger payoff.
“It’s the best prom ever, man. I mean, I remember my high school prom, this is better than that. My mom met Denzel Washington, so that’s dope.”
Moonlight’s Oscar nominated director Barry Jenkins was also dropping names. “You know, something changed this morning for sure,” said Jenkins. “I sat next to Steven Spielberg at my table and he had seen my film and I was like, “Wow!’ You know they say you’re in a group of your peers but I think this morning solidified that.”
For Damien Chazelle, who has racked up big wins at the Golden Globes and DGAs, and had already made the Oscar rounds in 2014 with “Whiplash,” the thrill of competing in the world’s most glamorous cinema awards show remains. “Yeah, it’s a little surreal, it’s still a little bit of a shocker,” said Chazelle. “It was really nice actually. It kind of really reminded me if how much I enjoyed the luncheon last time too. You kind of just get to meet your fellow nominees, there’s no… you don’t have to worry about anything, you just get to kind of hang with them and it’s actually really kind of lovely so I had a great time.”
The winners of this years awards will be announced at a lavish ceremony in Los Angeles on February 26.
