97 Oscar nominees gathered at the 20th Annual Academy Nominees Luncheon. The Luncheon honored all of the 2000 Oscar nominees and special award winners.

The Beverly Hilton was once again the backdrop as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honored its Awards nominees at the annual Nominees Luncheon on Monday, March 12, 2001. Oscar hopefuls from all 23 categories gathered at noon for the traditional pre-Awards lunch in a relaxed and casual setting. This year marked the 20th annual edition of the event.

Some 97 nominees were in attendance, including all five Leading Actor nominees: Javier Bardem, Russell Crowe, Tom Hanks, Ed Harris and Geoffrey Rush.

In addition to this year's Oscar hopefuls, producer Dino De Laurentiis attended the luncheon. De Laurentiis will receive the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award on the Oscar telecast.

All five of the Leading Actor Nominees gathered at the 20th Annual Nominees Luncheon. Front row left to right, Tom Hanks, Ed Harris, Back Row: Javier Bardem , Russell Crowe, and Geoffrey Rush.