The film industry's "prom," in effect, will be televised this Sunday night from a Los Angeles theater. Though the only dancing will be on stage, the Academy Awards bash has music, dressed-up guests of all ages and prizes – shiny Oscar statuettes for actors, directors, costumers and lots of others who entertain us at the movies and at home.

Buzz about possible big winners focuses on popular films such as the historical drama Lincoln (12 nominations) and Life of Pi (11), a story about a spiritually curious boy who survives a shipwreck and travels across the ocean. Another strong candidate is the musical Les Miserables, with eight nominations. There's also an award for best animated feature, with these five nominees: Brave, Frankenweenie, ParaNorman, The Pirates! Band of Misfits and Wreck-It Ralph.

And get this: Two of the nominees for best actress are 77 years apart in age! One is 86 (Emmanuelle Riva of France) and the other is 9-year-old newcomer Quvenzhané Wallis, who uses the nickname "Q" because her first name is hard to say (it's pronounced kwuh-VEN-jah-nay). She plays a character named Hushpuppy in a film called Beasts of the Southern Wild, a PG-13 fable about proud, self-sufficient people in Louisiana, and is the youngest best actress nominee in Oscar history. This was her first acting job and she's a longshot to win, but the spunky student charms interviewers and earns respect from moviegoers and fellow performers. She visited the White House last week for a Black History Month screening of the film for 80 students from middle schools and high schools. First Lady Michelle Obama asked if she said her first name correctly. The Academy Awards show's host also is a first-timer -- comedian Seth MacFarlane, creator of the animated TV hits Family Guy, American Dad and The Cleveland Show. The ABC broadcast starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

Michelle Obama says: "I love this movie [Beasts of the Southern Wild] so much and . . . wanted to bring it here to the White House and share it with all of you." – At Feb. 13 White House event for students from Washington, D.C., and New Orleans

Actress says: "My daughter kept running around saying I was 'mom-inated.' " – Helen Hunt, nominated for best supporting actress

Reviewer says: "Quvenzhané Wallis is a great story; whether she's a great actress remains to be seen. . . . You have to wonder how much she actually understood while filming the movie." – Tom Long, The Detroit News