January 15, 2008–The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced nine films selected as finalists in the foreign-language film category, which include “The Counterfeiters,” from Austria; “The Year My Parents Went on Vacation,” from Brazil; and “Beaufort,” from Israel.

January 14, 2008–The Producers Guild of America has tapped Miramax?¢¬Ä¬ôs ?¢¬Ä¬úThe Diving Bell and the Butterfly,?¢¬Ä Fox Searchlight?¢¬Ä¬ôs ?¢¬Ä¬úJuno,?¢¬Ä Warner's ?¢¬Ä¬úMichael Clayton,?¢¬Ä Miramax/Paramount Vantage?¢¬Ä¬ôs ?¢¬Ä¬úNo Country for Old Men and Vantage/Miramax?¢¬Ä¬ôs ?¢¬Ä¬úThere Will Be Blood?¢¬Ä as nominees for its top feature film award.

January 11, 2008–The Art Directors Guild has nominated 15 features in three categories for its production design awards, with winners to be announced Feb. 16 at the Beverly Hilton. Nominees in the period film category went to Arthur Max for “American Gangster,” Sarah Greenwood for “Atonement,” Guy Hendriz Days for “Elizabeth: The Golden Age,” Dante Ferretti for “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” and Jack Fisk for “There Will Be Blood.”

“Only When I Laugh” was nominated for three acting Oscars: Marsha Mason in the lead and
James Coco and Joan Hackett in the supporting leagues, though none won.

Holly Hunter turned down the lead role in the comedy “As Good As It Get,” which was directed by the man who “discovered” her, James Brooks. However, as a result of Hunter's rejection, Helen Hunt, until then best known for her TV series (“Mad About You”) and some small indie movies, became the eternally grateful beneficiary.