The following are key quotes from actors and directors nominated for the 86th Academy Awards, following the announcement of the shortlists on Thursday.

- Alfonso Cuaron, director, "Gravity":

Three-time Oscar winner Meryl Streep extended her record as the performer with the most Academy Award nominations, with her 18th nod announced on Thursday.

"Hunger Games" star Jennifer Lawrence meanwhile became the youngest ever three-time acting nominee at 23, with her performance in top-tipped crime caper "American Hustle."

A tale of tragic romance from the Palestinian territories is among five nominees for best foreign-language film at the Academy Awards.

The contenders announced Thursday in Beverly Hills include Hany Abu-Assad's "Omar," the story of a love affair and its consequences against the backdrop of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Crime caper "American Hustle" and 3D space spectacular "Gravity" topped the Oscars nominations list Thursday with 10 each, leading a crowded field of contenders for Hollywood's most coveted honors.

Historical drama "12 Years a Slave" was close behind with nine nominations in a year chock full of critically acclaimed movies, leaving no clear frontrunners ahead of the Academy Awards on March 2.

Hard on the heels of Milan, Paris kicked off its winter menswear series Wednesday with shows by Valentino, Carven and Raf Simons featuring everything from variations on the classic suit to paint splatter looks.

Valentino's models treaded softly on colorful, geometrically patterned kilim carpets, a motif sometimes echoed in the coats and jackets though in muted winter hues.

U.S. actor Adam Sandler could earn the dubious distinction of winning his third worst actor Razzie in a row after his new nomination Wednesday for the anti-Oscar Golden Raspberrys, Hollywood's hall of shame.

Sandler, who won in 2012 for his cross-dressing romp "Jack and Jill" and last year for "That's My Boy," is nominated this year for his performance in "Grown Ups 2."

Hollywood is holding its breath for the unveiling Thursday of this year's Oscar nominations, with top Golden Globes winners "12 Years A Slave" and "American Hustle" leading a crowded field of contenders.

Journalists and industry watchers will gather for the 5:30 am (13:30 GMT) announcement at the headquarters of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which organizes the Oscars ceremony.

Written by Anthony Sargon

The Coen brothers are arguably some of the best filmmakers of our generation. They’re responsible for a number of modern classics, and they’ve just created another masterpiece with “Inside Llewyn Davis.” Funny, dark, flawlessly acted and painfully poignant, it’s easily one of 2013′s finest films.

France's culture minister on Wednesday blocked actress Julie Gayet from becoming a jury member of a prestigious French academy in Rome following revelations she was having an affair with President Francois Hollande.

Investigative weekly Le Canard Enchaine revealed that the 41-year-old had been nominated before Christmas as a member of the 2014 jury for a French academy at the sumptuous Villa Medici, which every year selects a group of French-speaking artists for a 12- to 18-month residency.

Celebrations broke out in the Philippines Wednesday after a Filipina who has spent nearly half her life as a carer overseas won Israel's first "X Factor" competition.

Rose Fostanes, one of millions of Filipinos working abroad, won the television talent show late Tuesday with a rendition of Frank Sinatra's "My Way" that delighted fans in both countries.