Oscars 2016: Nominees' luncheon at the Beverly Hilton

Contenders for the 2016 Academy Awards gathered in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Monday afternoon for a celebration of their nominations at anannualluncheonhosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Followalong this year's Oscars nominees' luncheon event at the Beverly Hilton, beginning at 2 p.m. ET,with updates from CBC's Zulekha Nathoo.

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This year, the Oscars have been overshadowed by arevival of the #OscarsSoWhitecontroversy. The social media-fuelled uproar returned when, for a second consecutive year, only white actors were nominated by the academy in the four performance categories, despite several widely praised turns by actors of colour.

The backlash intensified when some prominent figures said they would boycott the ceremony, promptingtheacademy to take drastic action in diversifying its membership. Thekerfufflehas also followed the stars at other ceremonies throughout the awards season, including the Golden Globes and at award shows held by the actors, directors and producers guilds.