2008 Oscars dates announced

(AFP)
Updated: 2007-03-22 08:57

Oscar statuettes on display. The long countdown to the 80th Oscars got under way on Wednesday as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences released its key dates for next year's awards.[AFP]

The long countdown to the 80th Oscars got under way on Wednesday as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences released its key dates for next year's awards.

The biggest night in showbusiness will take place once again at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on Sunday, February 24, 2008 Academy president Sid Ganis said in a statement.

The Academy will announce its Oscars nominees for the awards on January 22. The Oscars' 5,800 members will then vote between January 30 and February 19 to determine the winners of the coveted statuettes.

The Oscars have been held every year since the 1929.

Martin Scorsese and his crime thriller "The Departed" were the big winners at this year's Oscars, winning best director and best picture respectively.

Forest Whitaker and Helen Mirren won the top acting prizes.