Jessica Biel To Host Technical Oscars

 Jessica Biel will host the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Scientific and Technical Awards on Saturday (07Feb09).

 Biel will present six honours at the Beverly Wilshire event in Beverly Hills, including the Gordon E. Sawyer Award, which will be bestowed on Ed Catmull for his lifetime of technical contributions and leadership in the field of computer graphics.

 Filmed excerpts from the Scientific and Technical Awards will be integrated into the 81st Academy Awards telecast on 22 February (09).
 
 The awards recognise significant milestones and achievements in the development of technology used in motion pictures and are decided by the votes of the Acadmey Board of Governors.
 
 The Oscar nominees gathered for the traditional luncheon and photograph on Monday.

There is a strong British contingent this year with the likes of Kate Winslet and Slumdog Millionaire expected to do well.