Change of format at Academy Awards

The way the Oscars are presented will be changed this year, telecast organiser Gli Cates announced yesterday.

Cates made the announcement at the Nominees' Luncheon, explaining that some award-winners would not be called up to accept their prize onstage, whereas for other categories all five nominees may be called up to the front before it is announced which of them has come out on top.

115 nominees met for yesterday's gathering, where Cates said that he hoped that winners would keep their acceptance speeches short and to the point.

He commented that the changes to the procedures would ensure that more of the nominees are seen on television.