Steven Spielberg, named head of the Cannes Film Festival jury Wednesday, is a Hollywood legend and one of modern cinema's most influential filmmakers -- even if his awards glory has faded of late.

Austrian director Michael Haneke finally got his due from Oscars voters when his "Amour" -- a searing tale of ageing, illness, death and dignity -- took home the award for best foreign film.

Taiwanese-born Ang Lee was the first Asian ever to win an Oscar for directing, in 2006 for gay cowboy movie "Brokeback Mountain." Seven years later he has done it again with 3D fantasy "Life of Pi."

Hollywood hit the red carpet Sunday for the Oscars, with Ben Affleck's Iran hostage drama "Argo" bidding to edge out Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" in one of the most open races in years.

Hollywood's finest gathered Sunday for the Oscars, with Ben Affleck's Iran hostage drama "Argo" bidding to edge out Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" in one of the least predictable races in years.

The stage is set for the 85th Academy Awards on Sunday, with Ben Affleck's Iran hostage drama "Argo" bidding to edge out Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" at the climax of Hollywood's awards season.

The stage is set for the 85th Academy Awards on Sunday, with Ben Affleck's Iran hostage drama "Argo" bidding to edge out Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" at the climax of Hollywood's awards season.

"Silver Linings Playbook" won the best film prize at the Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday, as well as best actress for Jennifer Lawrence and best director.

Veteran French star Emmanuelle Riva turns 86 on Sunday -- and could end up celebrating her birthday by becoming the oldest ever best actress Oscar winner.

Michael Haneke's latest project, a staging of Mozart opera "Cosi Fan Tutte", premieres at Madrid's Teatro Real on Saturday, a day before the Oscar ceremony in Los Angeles where his most recent film "Amour" is up for five awards.

Michael Haneke's Oscar-nominated film "Amour" about a man and his dying wife on Friday scooped the top prizes at France's annual film awards, the Cesars, which also honoured Hollywood actor-director Kevin Costner with a lifetime achievement award.

Hollywood actor and director Kevin Costner was on Friday honoured with a lifetime achievement award at France's annual film awards, the Cesars, at which "Camille Rewinds" and the much feted "Love" are the favourites.

Although he is nursing hopes of an Oscar, Austrian filmmaker Michael Haneke says he feels doomed to failure with his latest project -- a staging of a Mozart opera in Spain.

The 63rd Berlin film festival wrapped up Sunday after awarding its Golden Bear top prize to the Romanian melodrama "Child's Pose" in a banner year for cinema from post-communist eastern Europe.

Steven Soderbergh said goodbye to directing, and the Berlinale which has hosted him more often than any other film festival, with the taut thriller "Side Effects" that drew cheers Tuesday.

Iran hostage crisis drama "Argo" won the best film prize at Britain's BAFTA awards in a further boost for US actor-director Ben Affleck's movie ahead of the Oscars later this month.

Iran hostage crisis drama "Argo" won the best film prize at Britain's BAFTA awards in a further boost for US actor-director Ben Affleck's movie ahead of the Oscars later this month.

Hollywood actor and director Kevin Costner is to receive a lifetime achievement award at France's annual Cesars ceremony later this month, the academy said Friday.

Oscar-nominated "Amour," which scooped up a Golden Globe for best foreign language film earlier this month, is one of the top contenders for France's top movie awards, the Cesars, officials said Friday.

Italian actress Monica Bellucci is to play the main role in Emir Kusturica's new movie "Love and War" set in Bosnia, the Serbian director said Saturday.