Iraq war drama, 'The Hurt Locker' and sci-fi spectacular 'Avatar' do battle at the 82nd Academy Awards in Los Angeles.
Both films have nine Academy award nominations.
There is Irish interest in five categories. One of the nominees, 'Granny O'Grimm's Sleeping Beauty', is in the running for the Best Animated Short Film award.
Other Irish nominees include Tommie Moore, director of 'The Secret of Kells', Peter Devlin for sound on 'Star Trek', and Octagon Films for the short film, 'The Door'.
Kathleen O'Rourke, the writer and voice of Granny O'Grimm, said the atmosphere in Hollywood is fantastic.
Dubliner Richie Baneham, who is nominated for visual effects on 'Avatar', is hopeful the visually stunning film can claim the major awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.
