Stars gather for Oscar countdown

Final preparations are underway for the prize-giving ceremony

Stars and the elite of the film world are gathering for the biggest night of the movie-going year: The Oscars.

Brad Pitt, Sean Penn and Meryl Streep are among those who will grace the red carpet at Hollywood's Kodak Theater.

Britain's Slumdog Millionaire is widely expected to repeat its success at the Baftas, where it was named best film.

Other titles in the running for the main prize include The Reader, Milk, Frost / Nixon and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

The latter film, which stars Brad Pitt as a man who ages backwards, has had the most box office success - taking $242m (