Will Smith, Kristen Stewart, and other Academy Award candidates gathered Monday for the annual Oscar nominees luncheon, one of the largest gatherings in the film business since the COVID-19 outbreak shut down the Hollywood awards circuit.

Benedict Cumberbatch, Jessica Chastain, Steven Spielberg, and Bradley Cooper were in attendance in a crowded ballroom at Los Angeles' Fairmont Century Plaza hotel. The stars mingle with sound mixers, costume designers, and other behind-the-scenes crew members nominated for this year's Academy Awards, which will be presented live on March 27.

"This is a year like no other," Will Packer, producer of this year's Academy Awards broadcast, stated. "If there is ever a time to express gratitude and joy for an occurrence that enables us to be