Oscars chief pleads for writers' go-ahead

Oscars president Sid Ganis has pleaded for the Writers Guild of America to say whether it will back the full ceremony to go ahead.

Plans are currently being made for both the usual glitzy, well attended Oscars and a hugely reduced alternative event if writers' decide to oppose the awards.

Ganis, who heads the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, is optimistic the WGA will give the ceremony a waiver to take place but said he needs to know soon so the arrangements can be finalised.

He said confirmation was needed "as a matter of logistics" so preparations can continue for the February 24 ceremony.

"We're running out of time," he said. "We have nominees and potential presenters who live all over the globe. I'm nervous. We're getting down to the final moments, we need to make plans."

The writers have previously said they would not give a waiver for the Oscars but Ganis said he was optimistic after several writers attended this week's pre-awards lunch.

"I'm reaching out in a measured way," added Ganis. "We're feeling great that negotiations seem to have reached the stage where they're concluding. I'm a filmmaker and I want everybody back working."